Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017

2017 c. 2

An Act to make provision for, and in connection with, government bonuses in respect of additions to savings accounts and other investment plans.

Enacted[16th January 2017]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Government contributions to Lifetime ISAs¶

1 Where a qualifying addition to a Lifetime ISA is made in a relevant period, HMRC must pay a government bonus.

2 For the purposes of this Act, a “Lifetime ISA” is a plan of a description specified in Treasury regulations.

3 For the purposes of this section and Schedule 1—

a an addition to a Lifetime ISA is a “qualifying addition” if it is of a description specified in Treasury regulations, and

b a period is a “relevant period” if it is a period specified in Treasury regulations.

4 A description may be specified under subsection (2)—

a only if some or all of the income from investments under plans of that description is exempt from income tax as a result of investment plan regulations;

b even if plans of that description are referred to in investment plan regulations—

i as individual savings accounts other than lifetime individual savings accounts, or

ii otherwise than as individual savings accounts.

5 A government bonus under this section is an amount determined in accordance with Treasury regulations.

6 Schedule 1 makes further provision in connection with government bonuses under this section.

7 In subsection (4) “investment plan regulations” means regulations made under section 694 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005.

2 Government contributions to Help-to-Save accounts¶

1 If there is entitlement to an amount of government bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account, the amount must be paid by the paying authority.

2 The paying authority is the Treasury but, if there are arrangements for government bonuses under this section to be paid by HMRC or the Director of Savings, the paying authority is (as the case may be) HMRC or the Director.

3 Schedule 2—

a makes provision about the interpretation of this section, and

b makes further provision in connection with Help-to-Save accounts.

3 Income tax treatment of Government contributions under section 1 or 2¶

1 In Chapter 9 of Part 6 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (other exempt income), after section 775 insert—

2 Subsection (3) applies to a Lifetime ISA or Help-to-Save account which would be treated, by virtue of any of sections 564E to 564G of the Income Tax Act 2007, as an alternative finance arrangement but for the payment of a government bonus under this Act.

3 A Lifetime ISA or Help-to-Save account to which this subsection applies is to be treated, for the purposes of Part 10A of the Income Tax Act 2007, as an alternative finance arrangement.

4 In this section “alternative finance arrangement” has the meaning given by section 564A of the Income Tax Act 2007.

4 Regulations¶

1 Any power to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory instrument.

2 A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provision)—

a the first regulations under section 1(5),

b the first regulations under any of paragraphs 4, 7(1)(a), 7(3), 7(4), 7(5), 8(2), 8(7) and 11 of Schedule 1,

c regulations under paragraph 17(5) of Schedule 1 which result in a specified amount being increased,

d regulations under paragraph 3(6)(a) of Schedule 2 which result in the maturity period being shortened,

e the first regulations under any of paragraphs 3(7), 5(1), 6(1), 7(2), 10(1)(b), 15(2) and 16 of Schedule 2, or

f regulations under paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2 which result in the maximum monthly amount being decreased,

is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons.

3 A statutory instrument which—

a contains regulations under this Act, and

b is not subject to a requirement that a draft of the instrument be laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons,

is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

4 Subsection (3) does not apply to regulations under section 6(3).

5 For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), regulations under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 1 that could be made under a provision listed in subsection (2)(b) are treated as regulations under that provision.

6 Regulations under this Act may—

a apply generally or only in specified cases or circumstances;

b make different provision for different cases or circumstances;

c include consequential, supplementary or incidental provision;

d include transitory or transitional provision or savings.

5 Interpretation and amendments¶

1 In this Act—

“Help-to-Save account” has the meaning given by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2,
“HMRC” means the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs,
“Lifetime ISA” has the meaning given by section 1(2), and
“Treasury regulations” means regulations made by the Treasury.

2 In Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (excepted matters), before paragraph 10 insert—

3 In paragraph 19(1) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (information not covered by information notices), before the “or” at the end of paragraph (a) insert—

6 Short title and commencement¶

1 This Act may be cited as the Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017.

2 This Act comes into force on the day after that on which it is passed, subject to subsection (3).

3 The duty under section 2 does not apply in relation to accounts opened before such date as may be specified in Treasury regulations.

4 Without prejudice to the generality of section 4(6)(a) and (b), different dates may be specified under subsection (3) in relation to different descriptions of eligible persons (see paragraph 4 of Schedule 2), and any such description may be framed in a way that results in different dates being specified under subsection (3) for different areas.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 ¶

Lifetime ISAs: further provision

Section 1

Part 1 Introductory¶

Interpretation: meaning of “bonus”, “plan manager” and “document”¶

1 In this Schedule “bonus” means a government bonus under section 1.

2 For the meaning of “plan manager”, in relation to a Lifetime ISA, see section 696(2) of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005.

3 In this Schedule “document” includes a part of a document (except where the context otherwise requires).

HMRC responsible for administration of bonuses and withdrawal charges¶

1 HMRC are responsible for—

a the payment and management of bonuses, and

b the collection and management of amounts payable under paragraph 8 (charges on some withdrawals from Lifetime ISAs).

2 Treasury regulations may make provision about or in connection with—

a the payment and administration of bonuses;

b the collection and administration of amounts payable under paragraph 8.

3 The following provisions of this Schedule do not limit the generality of the powers under sub-paragraph (2).

Part 2 Payment of government bonuses¶

Claims for bonuses¶

1 Treasury regulations may—

a provide that a bonus is payable only if a claim for it is made in accordance with Treasury regulations;

b require a person who is or was the plan manager of a Lifetime ISA to make a claim for a bonus for qualifying additions made to the Lifetime ISA.

2 With regards to claims for bonuses, Treasury regulations may—

a specify the periods within which claims are to be made;

b specify the information to be included in claims;

c specify the periods to which claims are to relate;

d specify the form or manner in which claims are to be made;

e make provision about the assessment of claims;

f specify steps to be taken if a claim is rejected in whole or part;

g confer rights to a review of a rejection of a claim;

h make provision for or in connection with appeals against rejections of claims;

i provide for amendment of a claim if errors are discovered in it.

3 Treasury regulations may authorise HMRC to specify any of the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b) to (d).

Recovery of wrongly-paid bonus¶

1 Treasury regulations may provide for the repayment of any amount paid by way of bonus that ought not to have been paid.

2 The regulations may (in particular) make provision—

a identifying the persons liable to make a repayment;

b charging interest on repayable amounts;

c for collecting a repayment and any interest charged on it.

3 The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (2)(c) includes (in particular) provision applying or incorporating, with or without modifications, any enactment that makes provision in relation to the recovery of amounts of income tax or capital gains tax which has been repaid to a person but which ought not to have been repaid to the person.

Penalties for inaccuracies in claims¶

1 This paragraph applies where—

a a claim for a bonus contains information which is inaccurate,

b the inaccuracy is material, and

c condition A, B or C is met.

2 Condition A is that the inaccuracy is careless or deliberate.

3 An inaccuracy is careless if it is due to a failure by the claimant to take reasonable care.

4 Condition B is that the claimant knows of the inaccuracy at the time the claim is made but does not inform an officer of Revenue and Customs at that time.

5 Condition C is that the claimant—

a discovers the inaccuracy some time later, and

b fails to take reasonable steps to inform an officer of Revenue and Customs.

6 The claimant is liable to a penalty not exceeding the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 40A(5) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties for inaccurate information and documents).

7 Where the information contains more than one material inaccuracy, a penalty is payable for each inaccuracy.

8 Paragraphs 46 to 49 and 52 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties: assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 40A of that Schedule.

Part 3 Charges on some withdrawals from Lifetime ISAs¶

Withdrawals not triggering charge¶

1 Paragraph 8 does not apply to a withdrawal from a Lifetime ISA—

a at a time after the investor has reached such age as may be specified in Treasury regulations (but see sub-paragraph (3));

b for the purposes of a first-time residential purchase being made by the investor (but see sub-paragraph (4));

c at a time when the investor is suffering from a terminal illness;

d at a time after the investor's death;

e that is by way of transfer to another Lifetime ISA.

2 Treasury regulations may specify other withdrawals from a Lifetime ISA to which paragraph 8 does not apply.

3 Treasury regulations may provide, as an exception to sub-paragraph (1)(a), that paragraph 8 applies to a withdrawal from a Lifetime ISA if—

a an addition is made to a Lifetime ISA at a time after the investor has reached such age as may be specified in the regulations,

b the withdrawal is under the regulations treated as being or including a withdrawal of investments representing the whole or part of the addition, and

c the withdrawal is made within a period—

i beginning with the date of the addition, and

ii of a duration specified in the regulations.

4 Treasury regulations may specify withdrawals from a Lifetime ISA, which may be withdrawals within sub-paragraph (1)(b), to which paragraph 8—

a does not apply at the time of withdrawal, but

b comes to apply on a subsequent failure to meet conditions specified in the regulations.

5 Treasury regulations may make provision supplementing sub-paragraph (1), including (in particular) provision about—

a what counts as a “first-time residential purchase”;

b whether, or the extent to which, a withdrawal is for the purposes of such a purchase;

c when a person is to be considered to be suffering from a terminal illness;

d conditions to be met in order for a transfer to count for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e).

Charge when non-exempt withdrawal made¶

1 Except as provided by or under paragraph 7, this paragraph applies in relation to a withdrawal from a Lifetime ISA.

2 An amount, equal to the total of—

a the specified percentage of so much of the withdrawal as is a withdrawal of sterling, and

b the specified percentage of the market value of the rest (if any) of the withdrawal,

is to be paid (in sterling) to HMRC.

3 Where there is a plan manager of the Lifetime ISA at the time of the withdrawal—

a that plan manager and the investor are jointly and severally liable to HMRC for the amount payable under sub-paragraph (2), and

b without prejudice to paragraph (a), that plan manager must deduct that amount from the withdrawal and pay the amount deducted to HMRC.

4 Otherwise, the investor is liable to HMRC for the amount payable under sub-paragraph (2).

5 In sub-paragraph (2) “specified” means specified by Treasury regulations.

6 In relation to a withdrawal specified under paragraph 7(4), sub-paragraph (3) has effect as if it provided as follows—

7 Treasury regulations may make provision for the amount payable under sub-paragraph (2) in the case of a withdrawal to be calculated not as mentioned in that sub-paragraph but in accordance with the regulations.

8 A percentage specified under sub-paragraph (2), or provision made under sub-paragraph (7), may be such that the amount payable to HMRC under sub-paragraph (2) in the case of a withdrawal is greater than so much of the withdrawal as is attributable, directly or indirectly, to bonuses.

Payment of withdrawal charges¶

1 Treasury regulations may make provision—

a for requiring a person who is or was a plan manager of a Lifetime ISA, or the investor, to submit returns of information relating to withdrawals from the Lifetime ISA;

b about steps to be taken by the plan manager of a Lifetime ISA before relying on paragraph 7;

c specifying the date by which a withdrawal charge must be paid;

d charging interest on a withdrawal charge that is due but unpaid;

e for collecting a withdrawal charge and any interest charged on it, or otherwise for the purpose of fully implementing paragraph 8;

f for refunding a withdrawal charge or any interest paid on it.

2 The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (1)(a) includes (in particular) provision about—

a the information to be included in a return;

b the form of a return;

c the form or manner in which a return is to be submitted;

d the period to which a return must relate;

e the period within which a return must be made;

f enquiries into, and amendments of, a submitted return.

3 The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (1)(e) includes (in particular) provision applying or incorporating, with or without modifications, any enactment relating to the payment, collection or management of a tax.

4 In this paragraph “withdrawal charge” means an amount payable under paragraph 8.

5 Treasury regulations may authorise HMRC to specify any of the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(a) to (d).

Meaning of “investor” and “withdrawal”¶

11Treasury regulations may make provision about—

a who, for purposes of this Schedule, is (or is not) “the investor” in relation to a Lifetime ISA;

b what, for purposes of this Schedule, counts (or does not count) as “a withdrawal” in relation to a Lifetime ISA.

Part 4 Enforcement of information requirements¶

Penalties for inaccuracies in information provided in response to requirements¶

1 This paragraph applies where—

a in complying with a notice under paragraph 6(2) or 10(2), or with a requirement imposed under paragraph 9(1)(a), a person provides inaccurate information or produces a document that contains an inaccuracy,

b the inaccuracy is material, and

c condition A, B or C is met.

2 Condition A is that the inaccuracy is careless or deliberate.

3 An inaccuracy is careless if it is due to a failure by the person to take reasonable care.

4 Condition B is that the person knows of the inaccuracy at the time the information is provided, or the document is produced, but does not inform an officer of Revenue and Customs at that time.

5 Condition C is that the person—

a discovers the inaccuracy some time later, and

b fails to take reasonable steps to inform an officer of Revenue and Customs.

6 The person is liable to a penalty not exceeding the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 40A(5) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties for inaccurate information and documents).

7 Where the information or document contains more than one material inaccuracy, a penalty is payable for each inaccuracy.

Power to inspect documents relating to claims¶

1 This paragraph applies where a claim is made for a bonus for any qualifying additions.

2 An officer of Revenue and Customs may—

a enter any business premises of a relevant plan manager, and

b inspect documents that are on the premises,

if the officer reasonably requires to inspect the documents in connection with the claim.

3 A person is a “relevant plan manager” for the purposes of this paragraph if the person—

a is the plan manager of any Lifetime ISA to which any of the qualifying additions was made,

b was the plan manager of a Lifetime ISA at or after the time any of the qualifying additions was made to that Lifetime ISA, or

c is the plan manager of the Lifetime ISA to which the bonus would be or has been paid.

4 See also paragraph 15.

Power to inspect documents relating to withdrawals¶

1 This paragraph applies if there is a time when any investments held under a Lifetime ISA are attributable, directly or indirectly, to an amount paid by way of bonus for any qualifying additions.

2 An officer of Revenue and Customs may—

a enter any business premises of a relevant person, and

b inspect documents that are on the premises,

if the officer reasonably requires to inspect the documents in connection with establishing whether there have been any withdrawals from the Lifetime ISA and, if so, the details of any such withdrawals.

3 Each of the following is a “relevant person” for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)—

a the person (if any) who is the plan manager of the Lifetime ISA at the time mentioned in sub-paragraph (1),

b any person who is the plan manager of the Lifetime ISA at any later time, and

c any other person who appears to an officer of Revenue and Customs to be a person who may have received the whole or part of a withdrawal from the Lifetime ISA.

4 See also paragraph 15.

Supplementary provisions about inspections¶

1 The powers under paragraph 13(2) or 14(2)—

a do not include power to enter any part of the premises that is used solely as a dwelling, but

b do include power to obtain and record information (whether electronically or otherwise) relating to the documents that have been inspected.

2 In paragraphs 13(2) and 14(2) “business premises”, in relation to a person, means premises (or any part of premises) that an officer of Revenue and Customs has reason to believe are (or is) used in connection with the carrying on of a business by or on behalf of the person.

3 Paragraph 12 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (timing of inspections) applies in relation an inspection under paragraph 13(2) or 14(2) as it applies in relation to an inspection under paragraph 10 of that Schedule.

4 An officer of Revenue and Customs may not inspect a document under paragraph 13 or 14 if or to the extent that, by virtue of a provision of Part 4 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (restrictions on powers) applied by paragraph 6(3) or 10(4), a notice under paragraph 6(2) or 10(2) given at the time of the inspection to the occupier of the premises could not require the occupier to produce the document.

5 An officer of Revenue and Customs may ask the tribunal to approve an inspection under paragraph 13(2) or 14(2).

6 Paragraph 13(1A), (2) and (3) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (approval of tribunal for inspections) applies in relation to an application under sub-paragraph (5) as it applies in relation to an application under paragraph 13 of that Schedule relating to an inspection under paragraph 10 of that Schedule.

7 In this paragraph “the tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or, where determined by or under Tribunal Procedure Rules, the Upper Tribunal.

Penalties for non-compliance with information requirements¶

1 Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a person who—

a fails to make a claim in accordance with a requirement imposed on the person under paragraph 3(1)(b),

b fails to comply with a notice under paragraph 6(2) or 10(2) given to the person,

c fails to comply with a requirement imposed on the person under paragraph 9(1)(a), or

d deliberately obstructs an officer of Revenue and Customs in the course of an inspection under paragraph 13 or 14 that has been approved by the tribunal.

2 The person is liable to a penalty of the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 39(2) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008.

3 If the failure or obstruction mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) continues after the date on which a penalty is imposed under sub-paragraph (2) in respect of the failure or obstruction, the person is liable to a further penalty or penalties not exceeding the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 40(2) of that Schedule for each subsequent day on which the failure or obstruction continues.

4 The reference in sub-paragraph (1)(b) to a person who fails to comply with a notice under paragraph 6(2) or 10(2) includes a person who conceals, destroys or otherwise disposes of, or arranges for the concealment, destruction or disposal of, a document in breach of paragraph 42 or 43 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 as applied by (as the case may be) paragraph 6(3) or 10(4).

5 Paragraphs 44 to 49 and 52 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties: liability, assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under sub-paragraph (2) or (3) as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 39 or 40 of that Schedule, except that the reference in paragraph 46(3) to an information notice has effect as a reference to a notice under paragraph 6(2) or 10(2) of this Schedule.

6 In sub-paragraph (1)(d) “the tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or, where determined by or under Tribunal Procedure Rules, the Upper Tribunal.

Part 5 Further provision about penalties¶

Penalties for dishonesty¶

1 Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a person who dishonestly does anything, or dishonestly omits to do anything, either—

a for the purpose of obtaining an amount by way of bonus to which the person is not entitled, or

b for the purpose of assisting another person to obtain an amount by way of bonus to which that other person is not entitled.

2 The person is liable to a penalty not exceeding the greater of—

a £3,000, and

b the amount mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), as the case may be, of sub-paragraph (1).

3 Sub-paragraph (4) applies to a person who dishonestly does anything, or dishonestly omits to do anything, for the purpose of—

a securing that a withdrawal from a Lifetime ISA, other than a withdrawal specified under paragraph 7(4), is made without deduction of any amount that under paragraph 8(3)(b) should be deducted from the withdrawal, or

b concealing that an amount has become payable under paragraph 8.

4 The person is liable to a penalty of an amount not exceeding the greater of—

a £3,000, and

b the amount that should have been deducted or (as the case may be) the amount concealed.

5 Treasury regulations may substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (4)(a).

6 Paragraphs 46 to 49 and 52 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties: assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 40A of that Schedule, except that the reference in paragraph 46(4) to the inaccuracy has effect as a reference to the dishonest act or omission.

Part 6 Information sharing¶

SCHEDULE 2 ¶

Help-to-Save accounts: further provision

Section 2

Part 1 Introductory¶

Interpretation: meaning of “bonus”¶

1In this Schedule “bonus” means a government bonus under section 2.

HMRC responsibility for administration of bonuses¶

2HMRC are responsible for the payment and management of bonuses, subject to section 2.

Interpretation: meaning of “Help-to-Save account”¶

1 For the purposes of this Act, an account is a “Help-to-Save account” if—

a it is an account for money savings,

b a single individual is beneficially entitled to all money in the account,

c the account is held—

i by the individual alone, or

ii in some other way authorised by Treasury regulations,

d the individual is an eligible person (see paragraph 4) on the eligibility reference dates,

e the account is provided by an authorised account provider (see paragraph 9),

f the requirements imposed by and under paragraph 10 are met in relation to the account,

g the account has been opened in accordance with the requirements imposed by and under paragraph 11, and

h the account has not ceased to be a Help-to-Save account.

2 An account which is a Help-to-Save account ceases to be a Help-to-Save account—

a at the end of the maturity period for the account, or

b if the requirements imposed by and under paragraph 10 cease to be met in relation to the account before the end of that period.

3 Treasury regulations may make provision for an account to be treated as a Help-to-Save account.

4 In this Schedule “the eligibility reference dates”, in relation to an account, means the following dates—

a the date on which the application for the account is made, and

b the date on which the application is accepted.

5 For the purposes of this Schedule, a Help-to-Save account is opened for an individual if the account is opened and the individual is the person beneficially entitled to all money in the account.

6 In this Schedule “the maturity period”, in relation to a Help-to-Save account, means—

a the period of 48 calendar months, or such other period as may be specified in Treasury regulations, beginning with the calendar month in which the account is opened, or

b if the individual for whom the account is opened becomes terminally ill or dies before the end of the period given by paragraph (a), the period—

i beginning with the calendar month in which the account is opened, and

ii ending with the individual's becoming terminally ill or (as the case may be) the individual's death.

7 Treasury regulations may make provision for the purposes of sub-paragraph (6)(b) about when an individual is to be considered to become terminally ill.

Part 2 Eligibility¶

“Eligible person” ¶

1 For the purposes of this Schedule, an individual is an “eligible person” on a particular day if—

a the individual meets one of the benefit entitlement conditions (see paragraphs 5, 6 and 8(1)(a)) on that day, and

b the individual meets the UK connection condition (see paragraph 7) on that day.

2 Treasury regulations may make provision for an individual to be treated as an eligible person for purposes of this Schedule.

Benefit entitlement conditions: working tax credit¶

1 The first benefit entitlement condition is that—

a specified conditions relating to working tax credit are met in relation to the individual, and

b any other specified conditions are met in relation to the individual.

2 In sub-paragraph (1) “specified” means specified in Treasury regulations.

Benefit entitlement conditions: universal credit¶

1 The second benefit entitlement condition is that—

a specified conditions relating to universal credit are met in relation to the individual, and

b any other specified conditions are met in relation to the individual.

2 Conditions specified under sub-paragraph (1)(b) may (in particular) be framed by reference to the single hourly rate for the time being prescribed under section 1(3) of the National Minimum Wage Age 1998.

3 In sub-paragraph (1) “specified” means specified in Treasury regulations.

UK connection condition¶

1 The individual meets the “UK connection condition” if the individual is in the United Kingdom.

2 Treasury regulations may—

a specify circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being, or not being, in the United Kingdom;

b specify circumstances in which temporary absence from the United Kingdom is disregarded;

c modify the application of this Schedule, or regulations under it, in relation to persons of a description specified in the regulations who are treated as being in the United Kingdom for the purposes of this Schedule.

Power to make further provision about eligibility¶

1 Treasury regulations may—

a specify benefit entitlement conditions other than those for the time being specified in paragraphs 5 and 6;

b make provision about deciding whether an individual is an eligible person.

2 Regulations under sub-paragraph (1)(a) may (in particular) frame a benefit entitlement condition by reference to having a notice of eligibility issued by HMRC and, in that event, the regulations may make provision—

a requiring HMRC to issue such notices;

b about the effect of such notices;

c about the duration, expiry or withdrawal of such notices;

d otherwise in connection with such notices.

Part 3 Account providers and features of accounts¶

Authorised account providers¶

1 Help-to-Save accounts may be provided only by an authorised account provider.

2 In this Act “authorised account provider” means—

a a person who has been approved, for the purposes of the provision of Help-to-Save accounts, by HMRC;

b a person or body with whom HMRC or the Treasury have entered into arrangements for the provision of Help-to-Save accounts;

c if the Treasury so determine, the Director of Savings.

3 Treasury regulations may make provision about approvals under sub-paragraph (2)(a), including (in particular) provision as to—

a conditions which must be satisfied before approval may be given;

b conditions which must be complied with by an approved person;

c the withdrawal of approval to provide Help-to-Save accounts, or Help-to-Save accounts of a particular description.

4 In sub-paragraph (5) “retiring provider” means a person or body that—

a expects, or wishes, to cease to be an authorised account provider, or

b has ceased to be an authorised account provider,

whether the cessation is total or partial, and whether or not it is on account of withdrawal of approval.

5 Treasury regulations may make provision requiring a retiring provider to provide—

a specified information to HMRC or an officer of Revenue and Customs;

b specified information to account holders of a specified description.

Required features of Help-to-Save accounts¶

1 An account is not a Help-to-Save account unless—

a under its terms, the amount that may be added to the account each calendar month (excluding interest or other sums paid by the account provider under the terms of the account and excluding any bonus) does not exceed the maximum monthly amount, and

b any requirements imposed by Treasury regulations are met in relation to the account.

2 In sub-paragraph (1)(a) “the maximum monthly amount” means £50, or such other amount (which may be nil) as may be specified in Treasury regulations.

3 Treasury regulations may specify whether the requirement imposed by sub-paragraph (1)(a) relates to—

a the gross amount added in a calendar month (ignoring withdrawals and the mentioned exclusions), or

b the net amount added in a calendar month after taking account of withdrawals (but ignoring those exclusions).

4 Treasury regulations made for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) may include provision about deciding whether requirements imposed by the regulations are met.

Opening a Help-to-Save account¶

1 A Help-to-Save account may be opened for an individual if—

a an application to open the account is made in accordance with regulations under sub-paragraph (2),

b the individual is an eligible person on the eligibility reference dates, and

c no Help-to-Save account has previously been opened for the individual.

2 Treasury regulations may make provision about applications to open a Help-to-Save account, including (in particular)—

a provision about the form and manner in which applications may be made;

b provision specifying, or enabling HMRC to specify, information which applicants must provide and the persons to whom it must be provided;

c provision requiring an application to be made by the individual for whom the account is to be opened;

d exceptions to provision under paragraph (c).

3 Treasury regulations may—

a specify circumstances in which an account provider must refuse to open a Help-to-Save account for an individual;

b make provision requiring that a Help-to-Save account is to be held by the individual for whom the account is opened and that functions as the holder of the account are to be carried out by the individual;

c make provision for exceptions to provision under paragraph (b);

d make provision for exceptions to sub-paragraph (1)(c).

4 Where a contract is entered into by an individual who is 16 or 17 years old in connection with a Help-to-Save account opened for the individual, the contract has effect as if the individual had been 18 or over when it was entered into.

Account provider to be notified about absence from UK¶

1 Treasury regulations may, in connection with any stipulation that (directly or indirectly) links entitlement to bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account with the presence in the United Kingdom of the individual for whom the account is opened—

a impose duties to notify the account provider about absences of the individual from the United Kingdom;

b make provision for the imposition of a penalty, which must not exceed £300, for failure to comply with a duty imposed under paragraph (a).

2 Paragraphs 44, 45, 46(1), 47 to 49 and 52 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (penalties: liability, assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under regulations under sub-paragraph (1)(b) as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 39 of that Schedule.

3 An assessment of a penalty under regulations under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must be made—

a within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the failure first came to the attention of an officer of Revenue and Customs, and

b within the period of 6 years beginning with the date on which the person became liable to the penalty.

4 Without prejudice to paragraph 49(2) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (enforcement) as applied by sub-paragraph (2), regulations under sub-paragraph (1)(b) may (in particular) provide for a penalty under such regulations to be deducted from amounts to be paid by way of bonus in respect of the Help-to-Save account concerned.

Further provision about Help-to-Save accounts¶

1 Treasury regulations may, in relation to cases where the balance in a Help-to-Save account held with an authorised account provider is transferred to an account held with another authorised account provider, make provision—

a for the account with the other provider to be treated as a Help-to-Save account;

b for the two accounts to be treated as a single account.

2 If the Director of Savings provides Help-to-Save accounts—

a the fact that regulations could be made under this Act about any matter does not prevent that matter being dealt with instead in arrangements made with the Director by the Treasury or HMRC,

b sums paid into Help-to-Save accounts provided by the Director are not to be paid into the Consolidated Fund, and

c sums payable from such accounts are not to be regarded as expenditure of the Director.

3 Arrangements made between HMRC and a person or body within paragraph 9(2)(b) or (c) may include provision for the making of payments by HMRC to the person or body in respect of the provision of Help-to-Save accounts.

Successor accounts for certain Help-to-Save accounts¶

13A

1 In this paragraph “matured account” means an account provided by the Director of Savings which has been, but has ceased to be, a Help-to-Save account.

2 Treasury regulations may make provision for, or in connection with, the transfer of the balance in a matured account to another account provided by the Director of Savings (a “successor account”).

3 Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) must require the successor account to be an account in the National Savings Bank.

4 Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) may not include provision for a transfer which overrides an instruction for dealing with the balance in a matured account where—

a the instruction is given by, or by a person acting on behalf of, the individual for whom the matured account was opened, and

b the Director of Savings receives the instruction before the transfer is made and considers that it is reasonably practicable to implement it.

5 Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) may make provision about the balance in a matured account opened before the regulations are made.

6 Where regulations under sub-paragraph (2) provide for a transfer from a matured account to a successor account—

a the successor account may be a new or existing account, and

b no charge for the transfer may be imposed on the individual for whom the matured account was opened.

Accounts wrongly treated as Help-to-Save accounts¶

1 Treasury regulations may make provision having effect in a case where a Help-to-Save account is opened for an individual who is not an eligible person on the eligibility reference dates, including where that is established as a result of a determination made with backdated effect after the account is opened for the individual.

2 The regulations may (in particular) provide for the account to be treated as never having been a Help-to-Save account.

Part 4 Government bonuses¶

Calculation and payment of government bonuses¶

1 The individual for whom a Help-to-Save account is opened is the person entitled to bonus in respect of the account.

2 Treasury regulations must make provision for the calculation of the amount of bonus to which an individual is entitled in respect of a Help-to-Save account.

3 The regulations may (in particular) make provision—

a for a single amount of bonus for the whole of the maturity period for a Help-to-Save account, or for different amounts of bonus for different parts of that period;

b for an amount of bonus to be nil in the case of an account that is closed, or otherwise ceases to be a Help-to-Save account, before the end of its maturity period.

4 Treasury regulations may make provision about the payment of bonus, and the regulations may (in particular) make provision—

a for bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account to be paid by a single payment (even if the total payable is made up of different amounts for different parts of the maturity period for the account), or by two or more payments;

b for bonus paid in respect of an account to be added to the account or otherwise credited or paid out;

c about payment of bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account in cases where payment is made after the death of the individual for whom the account was opened.

5 Sub-paragraph (1) has effect subject to any provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (4)(c) that is contained in regulations under sub-paragraph (4).

Recovery of wrongly-paid bonus¶

1 Treasury regulations may provide for the repayment of any amount paid by way of bonus that ought not to have been paid (whether because of provision under paragraph 14 or otherwise).

2 The regulations may (in particular) make provision—

a identifying the persons liable to make a repayment;

b charging interest on repayable amounts;

c for collecting a repayment and interest charged on it.

3 The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (2)(c) includes (in particular) provisions applying or incorporating, with or without modifications, any enactment that makes provision in relation to the recovery of amounts of income tax or capital gains tax which has been repaid to a person but ought not to have been repaid to the person.

Part 5 Information¶

Claims and returns¶

1 Treasury regulations may—

a provide that a bonus is payable only if a claim for it is made in accordance with Treasury regulations;

b require a person who is or was an authorised account provider to make a claim for a bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account.

2 With regards to claims for bonuses, Treasury regulations may—

a specify the periods within which claims are to be made;

b specify the information to be included in claims;

c specify the periods to which claims are to relate;

d specify the form or manner in which claims are to be made;

e make provision about the assessment of claims;

f specify steps to be taken if a claim is rejected in whole or part;

g confer rights to a review of a rejection of a claim;

h make provision for or in connection with appeals against rejections of claims;

i provide for amendment of a claim if errors are found in it.

3 Treasury regulations may authorise HMRC to specify any of the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b) to (d).

4 Treasury regulations may make provision for requiring a person who is or was an authorised account provider—

a to keep records relating to a Help-to-Save account;

b to submit returns of information relating to the operation of a Help-to-Save account.

5 The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (4)(b) includes (in particular) information about—

a the information to be included in a return;

b the form of a return;

c the period to which a return must relate;

d the form or manner in which a return is to be submitted;

e the period within which a return must be made;

f enquiries into, and amendments of, a submitted return.

6 Treasury regulations may authorise HMRC to specify any of the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (5)(a) to (d).

Information notices¶

1 An officer of Revenue and Customs may by notice require—

a a person who has applied to open a Help-to-Save account,

b an individual for whom a Help-to-Save account has been opened,

c a person who has received an application to open a Help-to-Save account, or

d a person who is or has been the provider of a Help-to-Save account,

to provide the officer with any information, or to a produce a document to the officer, if the officer reasonably requires the information or document in connection with functions of HMRC, or an officer of Revenue and Customs, under section 2 or this Schedule.

2 Paragraphs 6(2), 7, 8, 18 to 20, 23 to 27, 42 and 43 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (information notices etc) apply in relation to notices under sub-paragraph (1) as they apply in relation to notices under paragraph 1 of that Schedule (see the definition of “information notice” in paragraph 6(1) of that Schedule).

3 Where a notice under sub-paragraph (1) is given to a person other than the provider of the Help-to-Save account at the time the notice is given, an officer of Revenue and Customs must give a copy of the notice to that provider.

4 A person who is given a notice under sub-paragraph (1) may appeal against the notice or any requirement in the notice.

5 Paragraph 32 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (procedure for appeals against information notices) applies for the purposes of an appeal under sub-paragraph (4) as it applies for the purposes of an appeal under Part 5 of that Schedule, except that a reference to an information notice has effect as a reference to a notice under sub-paragraph (1).

Penalties for inaccuracies in information provided in response to requirements¶

1 This paragraph applies where—

a in complying with a requirement imposed under paragraph 18(1)(b) or (4)(b), or with a notice under paragraph 19(1), a person provides inaccurate information or produces a document that contains an inaccuracy,

b the inaccuracy is material, and

c condition A, B or C is met.

2 Condition A is that the inaccuracy is careless or deliberate.

3 An inaccuracy is careless if it is due to a failure by the person to take reasonable care.

4 Condition B is that the person knows of the inaccuracy at the time the information is provided or the document is produced, but does not inform an officer of Revenue and Customs at that time.

5 Condition C is that the person—

a discovers the inaccuracy some time later, and

b fails to take reasonable steps to inform an officer of Revenue and Customs.

7 Where the information or document contains more than one material inaccuracy, a penalty is payable for each inaccuracy.

Power to inspect documents relating to claims¶

1 This paragraph applies where a claim is made by an authorised account provider for a bonus in respect of a Help-to-Save account.

2 An officer of Revenue and Customs may—

a enter any business premises of—

i that authorised account provider,

ii any authorised account provider to whom the balance in the account has been transferred, or

iii any authorised account provider to whom funds directly or indirectly representing the whole or part of that balance have been transferred, and

b inspect documents that are on the premises,

if the officer reasonably requires to inspect the documents in connection with the claim.

3 The powers under sub-paragraph (2)—

a do not include power to enter any part of the premises that is used solely as a dwelling, but

b do include power to obtain and record information (whether electronically or otherwise) relating to the documents that have been inspected.

4 In sub-paragraph (2) “business premises”, in relation to a person, means premises (or any part of premises) that an officer of Revenue and Customs has reason to believe are (or is) used in connection with the carrying on of a business by or on behalf of the person.

5 Paragraph 12 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (timing of inspections) applies in relation an inspection under sub-paragraph (2) as it applies in relation to an inspection under paragraph 10 of that Schedule.

6 An officer of Revenue and Customs may not inspect a document under this paragraph if or to the extent that, by virtue of a provision of Part 4 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (restrictions on powers) applied by paragraph 19(2), a notice under paragraph 19(1) given at the time of the inspection to the occupier of the premises could not require the occupier to produce the document.

7 An officer of Revenue and Customs may ask the tribunal to approve an inspection under sub-paragraph (2).

8 Paragraph 13(1A), (2) and (3) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (approval of tribunal for inspections) applies in relation to an application under sub-paragraph (7) as it applies in relation to an application under paragraph 13 of that Schedule relating to an inspection under paragraph 10 of that Schedule.

9 In this paragraph “the tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or, where determined by or under Tribunal Procedure Rules, the Upper Tribunal.

Penalties for non-compliance with information requirements¶

1 Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a person who—

a fails to make a claim in accordance with a requirement imposed on the person under paragraph 18(1)(b),

b fails to submit a return in accordance with a requirement imposed on the person under paragraph 18(4)(b),

c fails to comply with a notice under paragraph 19(1) given to the person, or

d deliberately obstructs an officer of Revenue and Customs in the course of an inspection under paragraph 21 that has been approved by the tribunal.

2 The person is liable to a penalty of the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 39(2) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008.

4 The reference in sub-paragraph (1)(c) to a person who fails to comply with a notice under paragraph 19(1) includes a person who conceals, destroys or otherwise disposes of, or arranges for the concealment, destruction or disposal of, a document in breach of paragraph 42 or 43 of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 as applied by paragraph 19(2).

5 Paragraphs 44 to 49 and 52 of that Schedule (penalties: liability, assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under sub-paragraph (3) or (4) as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 39 or 40 of that Schedule, except that the reference in paragraph 46(3) to an information notice has effect as a reference to a notice under paragraph 19(1) of this Schedule.

6 In sub-paragraph (1)(d) “the tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or, where determined by or under Tribunal Procedure Rules, the Upper Tribunal.

1 Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a person who, in complying with a requirement under paragraph 11(2) when applying for a Help-to-Save account, provides information that is inaccurate if the inaccuracy is material and deliberate.

2 The person is liable to a penalty of the amount for the time being specified in paragraph 39(2) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008.

3 Paragraphs 46 to 49 and 52 of that Schedule (penalties: assessment, appeals and enforcement) apply in relation to a penalty under sub-paragraph (2) as they apply in relation to a penalty under paragraph 39 of that Schedule.

Interpretation: meaning of “document”¶

24In this Part of this Schedule “document” includes a part of a document (except where the context otherwise requires).

Footnotes

F1
Sch. 2 para. 13A inserted (29.4.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), ss. 36, 49(1)(b)

Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017

1 Government contributions to Lifetime ISAs¶

2 Government contributions to Help-to-Save accounts¶

3 Income tax treatment of Government contributions under section 1 or 2¶

4 Regulations¶

5 Interpretation and amendments¶

6 Short title and commencement¶

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 ¶

Lifetime ISAs: further provision

Part 1 Introductory¶

Interpretation: meaning of “bonus”, “plan manager” and “document”¶

HMRC responsible for administration of bonuses and withdrawal charges¶

Part 2 Payment of government bonuses¶

Claims for bonuses¶

Recovery of wrongly-paid bonus¶

Penalties for inaccuracies in claims¶

Information notice may require information related to claim for bonus¶

Part 3 Charges on some withdrawals from Lifetime ISAs¶

Withdrawals not triggering charge¶

Charge when non-exempt withdrawal made¶

Payment of withdrawal charges¶

Information notice may require information related to withdrawals¶

Meaning of “investor” and “withdrawal”¶

Part 4 Enforcement of information requirements¶

Penalties for inaccuracies in information provided in response to requirements¶

Power to inspect documents relating to claims¶

Power to inspect documents relating to withdrawals¶

Supplementary provisions about inspections¶

Penalties for non-compliance with information requirements¶

Part 5 Further provision about penalties¶

Penalties for dishonesty¶

Part 6 Information sharing¶

Information sharing between HMRC and others¶

SCHEDULE 2 ¶

Help-to-Save accounts: further provision

Part 1 Introductory¶

Interpretation: meaning of “bonus”¶

HMRC responsibility for administration of bonuses¶

Interpretation: meaning of “Help-to-Save account”¶

Part 2 Eligibility¶

“Eligible person” ¶

Benefit entitlement conditions: working tax credit¶

Benefit entitlement conditions: universal credit¶

UK connection condition¶

Power to make further provision about eligibility¶

Part 3 Account providers and features of accounts¶

Authorised account providers¶

Required features of Help-to-Save accounts¶

Opening a Help-to-Save account¶

Account provider to be notified about absence from UK¶

Further provision about Help-to-Save accounts¶

Successor accounts for certain Help-to-Save accounts¶

Accounts wrongly treated as Help-to-Save accounts¶

Part 4 Government bonuses¶

Calculation and payment of government bonuses¶

Recovery of wrongly-paid bonus¶

Part 5 Information¶

Information sharing between HMRC and others¶

Claims and returns¶

Information notices¶

Penalties for inaccuracies in information provided in response to requirements¶

Power to inspect documents relating to claims¶

Penalties for non-compliance with information requirements¶

Interpretation: meaning of “document”¶

Footnotes