Policy paper

HMRC issue briefing: settling disguised remuneration scheme use and/or paying the loan charge

This briefing provides information about disguised remuneration avoidance schemes and how people can settle their use of them and/or pay the loan charge that has been introduced to tackle their use.

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Details

The government announced at Autumn Budget 2024 that there will be a further independent review of the loan charge, to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. HMRC will consider what updates need to be made to relevant guidance once the government announces further details about the review and once the review has concluded.

The loan charge legislation remains in force. If you have agreed a payment plan with HMRC you should continue to pay the amounts you have agreed to pay while the review is ongoing.

Disguised remuneration schemes are arrangements that pay loans instead of ordinary income to avoid Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.

The loan charge has been introduced to tackle the use of disguised remuneration schemes.

People who anticipate having difficulty paying what they owe under the loan charge will be able to agree a manageable payment plan with HMRC depending on individual circumstances. There is no limit, and people will be given as long as they need to pay what they owe.

This issue briefing sets out information about the loan charge and explains how HMRC will help customers settle their disguised remuneration and/or loan charge liabilities.

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2018
Last updated 1130 AprilOctober 20232024 + show all updates
  1. Page updated to reflect government's announcement that there will be a further independent review of the loan charge.

  2. Updated 'The agency rules and ‘deemed’ employment' section.

  3. Updated with latest information to help customers settle their disguised remuneration liabilities including an update to the reference year used for determining automatic eligibility to pay by instalments.

  4. Updated with latest information to help customers settle their disguised remuneration liabilities, and with our operational plans for April 2022 to March 2023.

  5. Updated after the publication of settlement terms for the loan charge.

  6. Updated to provide further information on what customers affected by the loan charge should do now the 30 September 2020 deadline has passed.

  7. Updated to provide further information on payment support options and add more explanation about return filing arrangements.

  8. Updated to include changes announced in July 2020, and the loan charge review.

  9. Content updated after the loan charge took effect on 5 April 2019.

  10. This issue briefing has been substantially updated.

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