| Further to our article on 19 January, HM Revenue & Customs have decided to include dentists in the tax amnesty, which was originally only offered to doctors.
The amnesty is being called the ‘Tax Health Plan’ and enables doctors and now dentists to make a voluntary disclosure of any understated income and benefit from a reduced penalty of 10%.
The following updated questions and answers provide a summary of the amnesty, but if you would like more information or help making a disclosure please contact tax@hazlewoods.co.uk.
Do I qualify for the amnesty?
The amnesty is for medical professionals regulated by the General Medical Council and dentists.
When must the disclosure be made?
You have until 31 March 2010 to register your intention to make a voluntary disclosure with HMRC.
You then have until 30 June 2010 to make your disclosure as well as to make arrangements to pay all tax, interest and penalties due.
How do I notify my intention to make a disclosure?
You can either ring HMRC on 0845 600 4508
Why should I make a disclosure?
By providing a full and accurate disclosure of any income on which tax has not been paid, together with full payment, by 30 June 2010 you should receive a reduced penalty of 10%.
If you do not make a disclosure under the Tax Health Plan and have understated income in the past you could face:
- penalties of between 20% and 100% of the tax due; and/or
- a criminal investigation
How will HMRC know if I have understated my income?
HMRC will use the new powers they have recently been given to obtain information from third parties. It is likely that HMRC will ask NHS Trusts, private hospitals and private medical insurers to provide details of payments made to doctors and dentists. This information will then be compared to the income declared on doctors and dentists’ tax returns.
Has there been a tax amnesty like this before?
No previous amnesties have been aimed at a single profession, but HMRC do plan to provide similar opportunities to other professional groups soon.
What next?
More information can be found on the HMRC website or contact us at tax@hazlewoods.co.uk.
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