LLM2180 - Syndicate accounts: taxation: syndicate returns and determinations (1)
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Lloyd’s Underwriters (Tax) Regulations 2005
Syndicate managing agents make returns of syndicate profits or losses to the Large Business Service (LBS) Financial Sector. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp taxable profit or loss for each syndicate is ‘determinedâ€� and the result is then shared out among the members who have participated on that syndicate.
A syndicate is not a taxpayer. Members of syndicates include their share of the syndicate profit or loss, as determined, in their own tax returns and pay tax accordingly. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp syndicate determination is final and conclusive as against the members of the syndicate. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp members do not have a right of appeal against it.
Returns up to and including those made in 2005 were made under the administrative machinery in FA93/SCH19. FA05/S45 contained legislation allowing for the repeal of this Schedule and its replacement by Regulations. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse are the Lloyd’s Underwriters (Tax) Regulations 2005 (SI2005/3338).
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp replacement Regulations update the administrative rules relating to syndicate returns and consolidate some rules from SI1992/351 which relate to managing agent responsibilities. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy import a number of principles from the self assessment regime so that syndicate profits and losses are now ‘self-determinedâ€� rather than being determined by the Inspector, as was the case under the Schedule 19 rules. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy also permit, but do not require, electronic filing of syndicate returns by managing agents.
Form LL250
Following the end of an underwriting year, LBS (Financial Sector) issues notices, on forms LL250, to syndicate managing agents. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse require them to make a return of syndicate profit or loss of the underwriting year that has just closed and any run-off underwriting years. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp return constitutes a determination of the syndicate profit or loss.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp notice requires the return of accounts and tax computations. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp accounts include the annual accounts the syndicate prepares for the period to the previous 31 December, the syndicate underwriting year accounts (LLM2200), and the accompanying managing agent’s and auditorsâ€� reports.
For example, the notice issued in 2007 requires a return in respect of the 2004 underwriting year which closes or goes into run-off at 31 December 2006, and any earlier year which closes or was in run-off at that date. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp return requires the annual accounts to 31 December 2006 and underwriting year accounts for 2004 and any earlier run-off year.
Filing date and enquiries
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp return must normally be made by 1 July following issue of the notice. HMRC then has until the following 31 December to enquire into the return. After that date the determination is final, unless an enquiry is open.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp rules that apply to company enquiries under CTSA in FA98/SCH19 apply to any syndicate enquiry, with appropriate modifications. Where adjustments are agreed between HMRC and the managing agent, the managing agent must amend the determination accordingly.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp rules allow for HMRC determinations where the managing agent does not make a return, for ‘discoveryâ€� determinations by HMRC where the original determination was incorrect, and error or mistake claims by the managing agent.
Where an enquiry into a syndicate return is opened, the tax returns of the members of the syndicate are deemed open for the duration of that enquiry, so that the necessary adjustments can be made to the profits or losses of each member as submitted on their own tax returns.