Finance Act 2008

Degrees of culpability

5 (1) A failure by P to comply with a relevant obligation is—

(a) “deliberate and concealed” if the failure is deliberate and P makes arrangements to conceal the situation giving rise to the obligation, and

(b) “deliberate but not concealed” if the failure is deliberate but P does not make arrangements to conceal the situation giving rise to the obligation.

(2) The making by P of an unauthorised issue of an invoice showing VAT is—

(a) “deliberate and concealed” if it is done deliberately and P makes arrangements to conceal it, and

(b) “deliberate but not concealed” if it is done deliberately but P does not make arrangements to conceal it.

(3) The doing by P of an act which enables HMRC to assess an amount of duty as due from P under a relevant excise provision is—

(a) “deliberate and concealed” if it is done deliberately and P makes arrangements to conceal it, and

(b) “deliberate but not concealed” if it is done deliberately but P does not make arrangements to conceal it.

(4) P’s acquiring possession of, or being concerned in dealing with, goods on which a payment of duty is outstanding and has not been deferred is—

(a) “deliberate and concealed” if it is done deliberately and P makes arrangements to conceal it, and

(b) “deliberate but not concealed” if it is done deliberately but P does not make arrangements to conceal it.