Preventing the Facilitation of Tax Evasion [Financial services version]

• 15 Minutes
• For all staff
• UK

Tax law applies to everyone, not only those who calculate or manage tax, and the UK Criminal Finances Act 2017 made it a criminal offence to facilitate tax evasion whether in the UK or abroad. This 15-minute refresher covers the duty to prevent facilitation by associated persons, how to spot signs of heightened risk, and how to report a suspicion.

The corporate offence has no requirement to show senior involvement, and reasonable prevention procedures are the only defence. Associated persons include agents, contractors and intermediaries, so the exposure extends well beyond the payroll. A short annual refresher keeps the point in front of the staff who engage those parties, which is where the risk is actually created.