Last month, HMRC launched a new Worldwide Disclosure Facility (WDF) to enable those who may be affected to come forward and settle their offshore tax affairs. A new Digital Disclosure Service which can be used by any taxpayer who wants to come clean about undeclared tax is also now available.

The WDF requires the disclosure of UK tax liabilities that relate wholly or partly to an offshore issue and requires:

• A notification to disclose;
• Completion of the disclosure within 90 days of the date the notification is confirmed; and
• Payment of tax, interest and penalties by the disclosure submission date.

It does not provide for immunity from prosecution for those taking part.

The newly launched Digital disclosure service (DDS) can be used by any individual, company or trustee, even if they are the subject of a specific campaign. Guidance on making a disclosure is also available. To use the DDS the person must have or set-up a Government Gateway account. Agents can make still disclosures under the various HMRC campaigns on behalf of their clients but can’t yet access the DDS.

There are currently three open campaigns aimed at specific taxpayers the guidance of which has been updated. The current campaigns are:

• The second incomes campaign
• The credit card sales campaign
• The let property campaign