Advisor fined for ‘deliberate’ SDLT avoidance

Advisor fined for ‘deliberate’ SDLT avoidance

It has been reported in a national newspaper that, David Hannah, founder of Cornerstone tax has lost his appeal against a first tier tribunal verdict and now faces disciplinary action following the failure to pay tens of thousands of pounds on stamp duty following the purchase of his home.

The Times reported that Mr Hannah, 60, has been ordered to repay over £47,600 – the £30,600 stamp duty he avoided and in excess of £17,000 after taking part in a tax-saving acheme when purchasing a property in Leicestershire in 2011.

During the hearing, the court was informed that Mr Hannah listed the 5% deposit he paid for the property as the full purchase price with the Land Registry and hid the rest of it’s value – which exceed three quarters of a million pounds (£765,000). The rest of the money owed to the sellers was paid via an annuity registered in the British Virgin Islands. The seller then redeemed this once the purchase was complete.

This deception was labelled by HMRC in its submission to the court as “a clear attempt at stamp duty avoidance”, as the deposit was listed as the full purchase price with the tax man.

Mr Justice Morgan and Judge Swami Raghavan, said:

“HMRC’s case as tp the deliberate inaccuracy called for an explanation which Mr Hannah ought to have been in a position to give, if one were available.

“The interference was that Mr Hannah had not given an explanation because his explanation, and a testing of that explanation by cross-examination, would not have supported his case.”

An HMRC spokesman said:

“We’re very pleased with the upper tier decision which confirms our view that this was a clear attempt at Stamp Duty Land Tax avoidance that does not work.

“We would warn those buying a property that if someone approaches you saying they can reduce your stamp duty bill, you should be very careful – you may have to repay all the tax you reclaim and a penalty as well. If something seems too good to be true then it almost certainly is.”

The next steps for Mr Hannah, will see him take his case to the Court of Appeal.

Jennifer van Deursen

Jen is the Senior Media Officer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate  and Today’s Family Lawyer. Having gained a degree in Multimedia Computing, Jen fell into a content role after successfully applying for a job at Cheshire Police. During her 6-year service, she took on the role as personal Press Officer under the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire and worked in the busy press office for the force. Jen has experience in the marketing and communication sphere, which stems from her time in the public sector, private care sector and now here at the Practical Vision Network, where she can utilise her skills and challenge herself further.

2 Comments

  • I was sold a scheme by Cornerstone costing £16,000, which they said allowed me to substantially reduce my stamp duty. It did not. HMRC presented me with a bill of £133,000, which I cannot pay. Yet no action has been taken against Cornerstone who scammed me in the first place. This feels like the current Loan Charge Scandal.

  • Yes this has happened to me . Can anyone tell me if cornerstone have been prosecuted by hmrc yet? If not why and do I have a claim not to pay hmrc? . Many thanks if someone has any information.

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