Consolidated guidance to incorporate changes made to the DOTAS rules during 2010/11 is now published. This guidance replaces and supersedes all previous guidance with effect from 6 April 2011.

Brief details of the main changes are as follows:

• Section 2.3.1 is amended to include the definition of Corporation Tax
• Sections 3, 12, 14, 18 and 19 are updated/inserted to incorporate guidance as a consequence of new rules introduced in Finance Act 2010 which came into force on 1 January 2011

These included a change to the trigger point for disclosure of marketed schemes to ensure early disclosure of schemes; an information power to allow HMRC to require intermediaries (an ‘introducer’) involved in the marketing of schemes to provide information leading to the identification of the promoter, enhanced penalties for failure to comply with a disclosure obligation and a requirement for promoters to provide periodic lists of clients who have implemented schemes.

• Section 7 is updated to incorporate revised guidance published following changes made to the hallmarks introduced in SI 2010/2834.

These also came into effect on 1 January 2011. The changes were to the confidentiality and premium fee hallmarks. The off-market terms hallmark was removed.

• Sections 10, 11 and 17 are inserted to incorporate previously published guidance following the extension of the rules to require disclosure of certain Inheritance Tax schemes. These changes took effect on 6 April 2011.

The updated guidance and details of the full changes made can be accessed at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/aiu/guidance-august-2011.pdf