Finance Act 1994

14 (1) A person who fails to comply with section 53(2) of this Act shall be liable to a penalty equal to 5 per cent. of the relevant tax or, if it is greater or the circumstances are such that there is no relevant tax, to a penalty of £250; but this is subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) below.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) above “relevant tax” means the tax (if any) for which the person concerned is liable for the period which—

(a) begins on the date with effect from which he is, in accordance with section 53 of this Act, required to be registered, and

(b) ends on the date on which the Commissioners received notification of his liability to be registered.

(3) Conduct falling within sub-paragraph (1) above shall not give rise to liability to a penalty under this paragraph if the person concerned satisfies the Commissioners or, on appeal, an appeal tribunal that there is a reasonable excuse for his conduct.

(4) Where, by reason of conduct falling within sub-paragraph (1) above—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence (whether under this Part of this Act or otherwise), or

(b) a person is assessed to a penalty under paragraph 12 above,

that conduct shall not also give rise to liability to a penalty under this paragraph.

(5) If it appears to the Treasury that there has been a change in the value of money since the passing of this Act or, as the case may be, the last occasion when the power conferred by this sub-paragraph was exercised, they may by order substitute for the sum for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (1) above such other sum as appears to them to be justified by the change.

(6) An order under sub-paragraph (5) above shall not apply in relation to a failure which ended on or before the date on which the order comes into force.