Accelerated Payment Notices Factsheet

You really can solve a serious HMRC Tax problem

All HMRC tax advice start life with legal intentions but things can change. That’s when you need the best advice.

We work with leading providers of specialist and impartial advice on serious HMRC Company debt problems

Whatever solution recommended; honest advice is at the heart of our service. Call us without obligation today.

What is an accelerated payment notice (APN)?

An accelerated payment notice (APN) is a requirement to pay an amount on account of tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs)

Why would an accelerated payment notice be issued (APN)?

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issues accelerated payment notices (APNs) to taxpayers involved in avoidance schemes disclosed under the following:

• the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) rules
• Counter-acted under the General Anti Abuse Rule (GAAR).
• Taxpayers who have received a Follower Notice in relation to the scheme

What is the effect of accelerated payment notice be issued (APN)?

The effect of the notice is to ensure that disputed tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) rests with the Exchequer in an avoidance case, so removing the cash flow advantage enjoyed by users of tax avoidance schemes and the benefit they currently have over the majority of taxpayers who pay their tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) up front.

How will a taxpayer be told they are the subject of an accelerated payment notice (APN)?

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send out a letter some weeks in advance of the APN being issued, to let people know it is on its way, and to provide you with some information about APNs.

10 Important facts regarding accelerated payment notice (APN)?

1. You must pay within 90 days

You have 90 days to pay the amount shown on the APN, unless you make representations, in which case the period may be longer. The payment doesn’t have to be made in one go as long as it is all paid by the due date.

2. Don’t ignore it

Failure to pay an APN by the due date could lead to late payment penalties or surcharges becoming due and potential enforcement action being taken to recover the tax or NICs. So make sure that you take action and pay the APN promptly.

3. Problems paying

If you think you will have problems paying the APN you should contact the HMRC telephone number shown on the notice, or the earlier letter which tells you we are going to send out an APN. Please do this as soon as possible. We will talk to you about different payment options.

4. You may not get all your APNs at once

APNs are being issued on a scheme by scheme basis and so, if you are in a number of schemes, you may not get all of the APNs that HMRC plans to issue at the same time.

5. You can receive more than one APN

APNs are sent out for each year of the avoidance scheme you are in and for each type of tax involved. For example if you have used an employment scheme for two years and that scheme gives both a tax and national insurance advantage you may receive up to four APNs.

6. Paying the APN is not settling your tax affairs

The APN will only cover the tax or NICs advantage relating to the specific avoidance scheme covered by the APN. The amount shown may not be the final liability agreed, which may be larger or smaller than the amount of the APN. It will not include any interest, penalties or other tax that may be due in the year. Therefore when the enquiry or appeal is finalised, there may be additional amounts to pay.

7. Appeal rights

You have a right to make representations against the APN (see below). You also have a right to appeal against the underlying tax or NICs that are in dispute.

8. You can object to an APN under specific circumstances

If you feel the amount quoted is incorrect or the conditions have not been met, you may make a representation which HMRC will consider. Representations should be made in writing to the address shown on the notice, within the 90 days before payment becomes due – if you send this elsewhere it might not be processed in time. If you do make a representation, HMRC will write to you setting out the results of their review. The response to your representation will tell you what you need to do next.

9. The amount due on an APN may be different to a settlement opportunity calculation

If you receive an APN at the same time as a settlement opportunity is in place, the value of the APN will not necessarily be calculated on the same terms offered in the settlement opportunity. Settlement opportunity calculations may also include interest and penalties. The APN may therefore not be for the same amount as the figure requested in order to settle the matter in full with HMRC.

10. You can still settle your affairs after you’ve received an APN

If you want to settle your tax affairs and you’ve received an APN, you should contact us as soon as possible. You must still pay the APN by the due date to avoid late payment penalties, but any payment received will be treated as a payment on account of the final liability and will stop the interest accruing on the underlying debt from the date it was received.

We advise thousands of people a year on different debt solutions. In each case we recommend the least drastic and most effective remedy, based solely on individual needs.

Advice will be simply explained, and you can depend on us to be honest, open and ethical. There’s no hard sell – we always collect detailed information from you and analyse it carefully before proposing a way forward.