HM Revenue & Customs has issued its first tax avoidance Stop Notices to an individual, ordering Paul Baxendale-Walker, a struck-off solicitor and former barrister, to cease promoting two schemes deemed abusive and artificial by the tax authority.
In a landmark move, HMRC confirmed that these Stop Notices mark the first time the orders have been issued to an individual rather than a company, underscoring the government’s intent to clamp down on tax avoidance regardless of how schemes are structured.
The two arrangements, promoted by Mr Baxendale-Walker, involve offshore trusts and complex structures designed to allow users to access their funds while avoiding tax. HMRC has assessed these as schemes without genuine business purpose, aimed solely at exploiting tax loopholes.
Jonathan Smith, HMRC’s Director of Counter Avoidance, said: “The courts have already concluded that Mr Baxendale-Walker designed and sold multiple tax avoidance schemes that don’t work as claimed. These Stop Notices send a clear message: we will use every tool at our disposal to protect public finances from tax avoidance.”
The notices were issued under the government’s strengthened anti-avoidance framework, which forms part of a broader strategy to close the tax gap and protect funding for vital public services.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
