The Paradise Papers has put the issue of tax avoidance firmly back in the headlines.

The documents, which originated from the law firm Appleby, lay bare the financial affairs of more than 120,000 people and companies. Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, the President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, not to mention some celebrities, oligarchs and multinational companies, are among those whose offshore financial activities are now public knowledge thanks to the 13.4 million documents that were leaked.

Last year's Panama Papers leaks led to investigations and the fall from grace of a number of high-profile politicians. While the fall-out from the Paradise Papers is still to be assessed, there is little doubt that it reveals much about complex, offshore dealings that are used to avoid paying tax.

It is a situation that will leave many with awkward legal questions to answer: both those who gained from the tax avoidance schemes that were created and the financial advisors, accountants, lawyers and associated experts who devised and implemented them. Having represented clients in national and international tax cases, ranging from major conservation-related tax avoidance prosecutions through to the largest and most complex MTIC VAT frauds, we believe a swift response to any hint of an investigation is vital.

Anyone investigated will need advice from solicitors familiar with this area of law and adept at dealing with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and any other authorities that may take an interest in anyone's leaked financial affairs. Only by doing this will there be any chance of formulating an appropriate response to investigating authorities' questions and challenging their allegations.

Criminal Finances Act

If this seems alarmist, it may be worth considering the Criminal Finances Act; which only came into effect on September 30.

The Act makes companies and partnerships criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by any of their staff or external agents; even if they were unaware it was happening. They can face unlimited penalties.

Tax evasion was an offence before the Act came into effect. But the Act makes it possible for the authorities to hold the firms criminally liable for matters relating to UK taxes or overseas taxes where there is a UK connection.

A prosecution can be brought against a firm if there is:

  • Criminal tax evasion by an individual or company under existing law.
  • Criminal facilitation of the offence by a representative of that firm.
  • A failure by the firm to prevent its representative from committing the criminal act.

Prevention

A business can avoid criminal liability if it can show it had implemented reasonable prevention procedures or that it would have been unreasonable to expect it to have such procedures in place.

All firms involved in tax work must review their practices and procedures to minimise risks. They are the watchdogs who, under the Act, are now responsible for preventing their staff and representatives committing tax evasion.

If they are serious about preventing tax evasion, they must:

  • Introduce comprehensive training to ensure staff are aware of the law regarding financial crime.
  • Have procedures in place for monitoring staff workplace activity and behaviour.
  • Carry out risk assessments on all aspects of their business activity.
  • Devise an appropriate whistle-blowing procedure so concerns can be raised.
  • Introduce, monitor and revise (if necessary) workplace crime prevention procedures.

Investors

So far, we have concentrated on those who are accused of facilitating tax evasion. But what of those who invest in such schemes?

Investors in such schemes who are questioned may enter into a Code of Practice 9 (COP9) agreement with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Under a COP9, that person can either accept they have committed serious tax fraud and cooperate with investigators or deny the allegations and refuse to cooperate.

It is a situation that requires shrewd judgement and attention to detail; especially as the option of denying the allegations but agreeing to cooperate is no longer available. To minimise the potential damage requires a solicitor with expertise in this area and experience of dealing with HMRC.

Investors have to examine the course of action they chose regarding their tax affairs. This involves looking at the reasons why they followed a particular course of action:

  • What financial advice was given to them?
  • Who gave it to them?
  • Did the scheme make commercial sense?
  • What assurances were they given about the scheme being legal?

The Paradise Papers will see many schemes come under scrutiny. Prosecutors will be looking to prove that all or many of those involved knew, or believed, that what was being done was fraudulent and an attempt to deceive HMRC.

Defence

Mounting a defence to such allegations involves ensuring you have access to all relevant documents. Such evidence is vital to any attempt to prove that your tax affairs are legal. But any defence is about more than replying to any questions that investigators may ask. It is about using evidence and legal argument to challenge assumptions and claims made by the prosecution; which is why the right legal expertise is necessary.

A switched-on defence team will need all available material if they are to provide reasons for certain activities being carried out and explanations for transactions that, at first glance, may appear complicated and devised with an illegal ulterior motive.

A defence can use experts to analyse the available evidence. Such experts can even act as witnesses and help tackle investigators or prosecutors who put forward the worst possible interpretation of events; either pre-trial or in court. Such experts, if used appropriately, can demolish prosecution claims and boost the credibility of a defence team's arguments regarding the honesty of their client.

Many may soon be needing such an approach in the wake of the Paradise Papers.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.