Penalties for failing to keep and preserve records
Section 76 – Penalty for failure to keep and preserve records
113.This section provides for a penalty of a maximum of £3,000 for a failure to comply with section 74 (duty to keep and preserve records), with the exception that no penalty is incurred if Revenue Scotland is satisfied that the required facts which would have been demonstrated by the records are provided to Revenue Scotland by other documentary evidence.
Section 77 – Reasonable excuse for failure to keep and preserve records
114.This section provides that, if a person satisfies Revenue Scotland (or on appeal the tribunal) that there is reasonable excuse on the person’s behalf for a failure to comply with section 74, then the person is not liable to pay a penalty arising from that failure. The section also set out some circumstances in which reasonable excuse does not apply.
Section 78 – Assessment of penalties under section 76
115.This section provides that, where a person becomes liable for a penalty under section 76, Revenue Scotland must assess the penalty and then notify the person of this. The assessment of the penalty must be made within 12 months of the person becoming liable to the penalty.
Section 79 – Enforcement of penalties under section 76
116.This section provides that a penalty under section 76 must be paid within 30 days of Revenue Scotland issuing the penalty notification to the person. If a notice of review or appeal against the penalty is given (under section 235 or 242 respectively), the penalty must be paid within 30 days of the review being concluded or the appeal determined or withdrawn, whichever applies. If mediation has been entered into following review, the penalty must be paid within 30 days of notice of withdrawal from mediation being given (if this applies).
Section 80 – Power to change penalty provisions in sections 76 to 79
117.This section provides a regulation-making power for the Scottish Ministers to make provision, or further provision, about penalties under Chapter 2 of Part 6. Such regulations are subject to the affirmative procedure, may not create criminal offences but may modify any enactment. Regulations under this section do not apply to a failure which began before the date on which the regulations came into force.
