3.The context and background to this Act was set out in Chapter 1 of the Welsh Government’s White Paper - Collection and management of devolved taxes in Wales, published on 23 September 2014(1).
4.In summary the Act makes provision for a Welsh tax system to enable the collection and management of devolved Welsh taxes. It establishes the Welsh Revenue Authority as a non-ministerial department which it is anticipated will be responsible for collecting Wales’ devolved taxes from April 2018(2). It also sets out the relationship between the tax authority and taxpayers in Wales, including the relevant powers, rights and duties.
5.The Act has 10 Parts comprising 195 sections and is arranged as follows:
Part 1 – Overview
Part 2 – The Welsh Revenue Authority
Part 3 – Tax Returns, Enquiries and Assessments
Part 4 – Investigatory Powers of WRA
Part 5 – Penalties
Part 6 – Interest
Part 7 – Payment and Enforcement
Part 8 – Reviews and Appeals
Part 9 – Investigation of Criminal Offences
Part 10 – Final Provisions
White Paper Collection and management of devolved taxes in Wales WG22945
The intention is to ‘switch off’ the UK-wide versions of the taxes insofar as they apply to Wales from April 2018. The UK Government will consult with Welsh Ministers before determining a final date for switching off the UK taxes in Wales.