HC Deb 19 July 1990 vol 176 cc654-5W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will identify the provisions by which, if under the proposed pay and file system no assessment has been made on a company within the normal six-year time limit, the tax already paid by the company under the pay rules of pay and file will be repayable to it; within what period from the end of such six-year period such tax will have to be repaid; whether interest will be payable on the repayment by the Revenue; and by what legal process the tax-paying company will be able to enforce such payment.

Mr. Ryder

As I explained in Standing Committee E on 21 June,Official Report, column 383, it would not necessarily be appropriate for tax paid by a company under pay and file to be repaid where an assessment was not made within the normal six-year time limit. But where the company was then able to show that no assessment could be made, it would be entitled to claim repayment of the tax and interest would be due on the tax repaid.