29/7/09: M&R Tax Advisers assist Client in obtaining WOWGR Approval

M&R Tax Advisers are pleased to announce that after careful negotiation with HMRC, we have been successful in obtaining a WOWGR registration on behalf of a client.  Under HMRC regulations, this approval allows a business to deal in excise duty suspended goods, transferred (for example) between different UK bonded warehouses or for despatch duty suspended to another EU Member State.

Our client had previously been unsuccessful in its WOWGR application but following its engagement of M&R Tax Advisers to assist with its application, a revised business plan was prepared and we commenced correspondence with HMRC.

The trade in duty suspended goods is an area that HMRC allege is rife with fraud.  HMRC, as part of their enhanced vetting of businesses wishing to apply for a WOWGR registration, are scrutinising applications very carefully.  This can often result in an application being rejected many months after it had first been submitted.

A company has the right to appeal a decision made by HMRC to reject a WOWGR application to the First Tier Tribunal, Tax.  Unfortunately the appeal process can take over twelve months.  Further, the Tribunal only has the power, in the event of the appellant company being successful, to refer the matter back to HMRC for further review.  The whole registration process then re-commences with no guarantee that the WOWGR application will finally be approved. We would therefore recommend that potential applicants for WOWGR registration take professional advice at the earliest opportunity.

Please contact us if you consider that we can be of assistance to you in any issue arising with HMRC.