Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

Special penalties in the case of certain returns E+W+S

7 (1) This paragraph applies where regulations under [F1 sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6] above make provision requiring any return which is to be made in accordance with a specified provision of regulations under [F1 that sub-paragraph] (the “contributions return”) to be made— E+W+S

(a) at the same time as any specified return required to be made in accordance with a provision of [F2 PAYE regulations or regulations made under] [F3 section 70(1)(a) or 71 (sub-contractors) of the Finance Act 2004] to which section 98A of the Taxes Management Act 1970 applies (the “tax return”); or

(b) if the circumstances are such that the return mentioned in paragraph (a) above does not fall to be made, at a time defined by reference to the time for making that return, had it fallen to be made;

and, in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, any reference in the following provisions of this paragraph to the tax return shall be construed as a reference to the return there mentioned.

(2) Where this paragraph applies, regulations under [F4 paragraph 6(1)] above may provide that section 98A of the M1 Taxes Management Act 1970 (penalties for late, fraudulent or negligent returns) shall apply in relation to any specified provision of regulations in accordance with which the contributions return is required to be made; and where they so provide then, subject to the following provisions of this paragraph—

(a) that section shall apply in relation to the contributions return as it applies in relation to the tax return; and

(b) sections 100 to 100D and 102 to [F5 105] of that Act shall apply in relation to a penalty under section 98A of that Act to which a person is liable by virtue of this sub-paragraph as they apply in relation to any other penalty under that section.

(3) Where a person [F6 has been required to pay] a penalty under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 98A of that Act (first twelve months’ default) in consequence of a failure in respect of a tax return, he shall not also [F7 be required to pay] a penalty under that paragraph in respect of any failure in respect of the associated contributions return.

(4) In any case where—

(a) a person is liable to a penalty under subsection (2)(b) or (4) of that section (tax-related penalties) in respect of both a tax return and its associated contributions return, and

(b) an officer of the Inland Revenue authorised for the purposes of section 100 of that Act has determined that a penalty is to be imposed under that provision in respect of both returns,

the penalty so imposed shall be a single penalty of an amount not exceeding the limit determined under sub-paragraph (5) below.

(5) The limit mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) above is an amount equal to the sum of—

(a) the maximum penalty that would have been applicable under subsection (2)(b) or (4) of section 98A of that Act (as the case may be) for a penalty in relation to the tax return only; and

(b) the maximum penalty that would have been so applicable in relation to the associated contributions return only.

(6) So much of any single penalty imposed by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) above as is recovered by the Inland Revenue shall, after the deduction of any administrative costs of the Inland Revenue attributable to its recovery, [F8 for the purposes of making any payment into the National Insurance Fund be apportioned between income tax and contributions] in the ratio T:C, where—

• T is the maximum penalty that could have been imposed under the provision in question in relation to the tax return only; and

• C is the maximum penalty that could have been so imposed in relation to the associated contributions return only.

F9 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) [F10 Sub-paragraph (6)] above shall have effect notwithstanding any provision which treats a penalty under section 98A of that Act as if it were tax charged in an assessment and due and payable.

(9) In the application of section 98A of that Act by virtue of this paragraph, any reference to a year of assessment shall be construed, in relation to a contributions return, as a reference to the tax year corresponding to that year of assessment.

(10) In the application of section 100D of that Act (court proceedings for penalties in cases of fraud) by virtue of this paragraph—

(a) subsection (2) shall have effect with the omission of the words “ or Northern Ireland ” and paragraph (c); and

(b) subsection (3) shall have effect with the omission of the words from “ and any such proceedings instituted in Northern Ireland ” onwards.

(11) In the application of section 103 of that Act (time limit for recovery) by virtue of this paragraph—

(a) any reference in subsection (1) to tax shall be taken to include a reference to Class 1[F11 , Class 1A and Class 1B] contributions;

(b) any penalty by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) above shall be regarded as a penalty in respect of the tax return in question; and

(c) where, by virtue of subsection (2) (death), subsection (1)(b) does not apply in relation to a penalty under section 98A(2)(b) or (4) of that Act in respect of a tax return, it shall also not apply in relation to a penalty so imposed in respect of the associated contributions return.

[F12 (12) A penalty under section 98A of that Act as it applies by virtue of this paragraph shall not be imposed where—

(a) a decision relating to contributions falls to be made under or by virtue of section 8, 10 or 11 of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999, and has not yet been made; and

(b) the decision will affect a person’s liability for the penalty, or the amount of it.]

(13) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) “contributions return” and “tax return” shall be construed in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) above; and

(b) a contributions return and a tax return are “associated” if the contributions return is required to be made—

(i) at the same time as the tax return, or

(ii) where sub-paragraph (1)(b) above applies, at a time defined by reference to the time for making the tax return.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(1) substituted (25.2.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(2)(a), Sch. 1 para. 18(2); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F2 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2003 with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 185(d) (with Sch. 7)

F3 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(1)(a) substituted (with effect in relation to payments made on or after 6.4.2007 under contracts relating to construction operations) by Finance Act 2004 (c. 12), s. 77(1), Sch. 12 para. 13(2) (with s. 77(2)-(8)); S.I. 2006/3240

F4 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(2) substituted (25.2.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(2)(a), Sch. 1 para. 18(3); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F5 Word in Sch. 1 para. 7(2)(b) substituted (28.7.2000) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19), ss. 76(2), 86

F6 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(3) substituted (6.4.1999) by Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), ss. 56(1)(a), 87(2); S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(3)(4)(a)

F7 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(3) substituted (6.4.1999) by Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), ss. 56(1)(b), 87(2); S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(3)(4)(a)

F8 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(6) substituted (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 3 para. 36(2); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F9 Sch. 1 para. 7(7) repealed (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 3 para. 36(3), Sch. 10 Pt. I; S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F10 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(8) substituted (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 3 para. 36(4); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F11 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7(11)(a) substituted (6.4.1999) by Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), s. 87(2), Sch. 7 para. 77(12); S.I. 1998/2209, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. 3

F12 Sch. 1 para. 7(12) substituted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 6.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 7 para. 10; S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 para. 7 modified (1.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.7.2008 for specified purposes, 1.1.2009 for specified purposes, 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Finance Act 2007 (c. 11), s. 97(2), Sch. 24 para. 30; S.I. 2008/568, art. 2(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) (with art. 3)

Marginal Citations

M1 1970 c. 9.

[F13 7A (1) This paragraph applies where paragraph 7 above applies; and in this paragraph “contributions return” has the same meaning as in that paragraph. E+W+S

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph 7(2) above or to the [F14 other] powers of the Inland Revenue to penalise omissions or errors in returns, regulations [F15 made by the Treasury] may provide for the [F16 Inland Revenue] to impose penalties in respect of a person who, in making a contributions return, fraudulently or negligently—

(a) fails to provide any information or computation that he is required to provide; or

(b) provides any such information or computation that is incorrect.

(3) Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) above shall—

(a) prescribe the rates of penalty, or provide for how they are to be ascertained;

(b) provide for the penalty to be imposed by the [F17 Inland Revenue] within six years after the date on which the penalty is incurred;

(c) provide for determining the date on which, for the purposes of paragraph (b) above, the penalty is incurred;

(d) prescribe the means by which the penalty is to be enforced; and

(e) provide for enabling the [F18 Inland Revenue, in their] discretion, to mitigate or to remit the penalty, or to stay or to compound any proceedings for it.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Sch. 1 para. 7A inserted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 6.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), ss. 56(2), 87(2); S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(1)(2)(b)

F14 Word in Sch. 1 para. 7A(2) inserted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 9 para. 6(2)(a); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(a)(b), Schs. 1, 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F15 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7A(2) inserted (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 3 para. 37; S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F16 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7A(2) substituted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 9 para. 6(2)(b); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(a)(b), Schs. 1, 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F17 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7A(3)(b) substituted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 9 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(a)(b), Schs. 1, 2 (with arts. 3-6)

F18 Words in Sch. 1 para. 7A(3)(e) substituted (4.3.1999 for specified purposes, 1.4.1999 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 9 para. 6(3)(b); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(a)(b), Schs. 1, 2 (with arts. 3-6)