What is the Code of Practice 9 and its Consequences?
HMRC use COP9 under Contractual Disclosure Facility where they have reason to suspect serious tax fraud through deliberate behaviour and there is a substantial amount of underpaid tax. HMRC carry out considerable research and use intelligence before opening starting a COP 9 investigation through a Contractual Disclosure Facility.
Code of Practice 9 tax investigations are conducted with a view of punishing the people who are suspected tax fraudsters. These evaders are penalised by imposing significant financial penalties, that can go as high as £330, or any other type of punishments associated with tax fraud. The essential aim of a Code of Practice 9 investigation is to recuperate tax, and fines owed to HMRC. Although a criminal prosecution cannot be filled when the Contractual Disclosure Facility using this Code Of Practice in progress, criminal prosecution can follow if it is suspected that a full disclosure has not been forthcoming.
Under the Contractual Disclosure Facility, the suspected tax evader is given the opportunity to come forward and make a full disclosure of the underpaid tax and any deliberate /non-deliberate inconsistencies. You must disclose any unpaid tax, after the completion of the investigation, or it can lead to further, serious consequences. Code of Practice 9 investigation or enquiry under Contractual Disclosure Facility allows HMRC to go back as far as twenty years while investigating. Contractual Disclosure Facility can have a very distraint effect on your work and/or social life, as you might lose a considerable amount of money in tax and penalties ( there is still a risk of being prosecuted and imprisoned). Therefore you must higher a team of professionals to help you out in such situations.













