Below are updates on the various Simplification & Modernisation projects currently being undertaken by HMRC.
WOWGR reform
A Ministerial submission is being prepared following the informal targeted consultation.
Excise Movement Guarantees
Following internal and external engagement – a policy paper has been produced on the recommendation to remove mandatory requirement for a movement guarantee.
The intention is to bring excise warehouse guarantee rules in line with those for tax warehouses that aren’t approved as excise warehouses. An Excise Movement Guarantee must still be provided for all movements of excise duty suspended goods unless
one of the following exemptions applies:
• Bulk movements of fuel by sea or pipeline
• Movements between all UK tax warehouses, where the dispatching warehouse keeper will retain liability for the excise duty during the movement.
HMRC will still be able to impose the need for an Excise Movement Guarantee where needed.
Next steps: formal internal and external JECG engagement to notify of the intended change and to undertake impacting work before seeking senior/ministerial sign off.
Due Diligence
Policy and operational colleagues have completed the external engagement webinars with members of the JECG to determine application issues. Next steps will be for both policy and operational colleagues to get together to discuss and agree options for change.
Further updates will follow.
