We are delighted to announce that our tax partner, Fiona Phillips, has been appointed as a member of HM Revenue & Customs’ General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) independent advisory panel. Fiona will undertake the unpaid appointment for a three-year period alongside her role at Andrew Jackson Solicitors.

Fiona is a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser with over 30 years’ experience advising and guiding private and public companies through all aspects of their corporate tax affairs. She has a special interest in advising property clients on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)  and VAT.

Following a competitive process, Fiona has joined the 10-strong GAAR panel of UK-based senior tax practitioners and legal professionals, all of whom are independent of HMRC. The panel, which was established in 2013 to coincide with the General Anti-Abuse Rule coming into force, provides opinions on cases and approves HMRC Guidance on the question of whether “the entering into and carrying out of the tax arrangements is a reasonable course of action in relation to the relevant tax provisions”.

Since GAAR cases began being referred to the Panel in 2017, opinions have been issued to the parties and published in anonymised form in 24 cases.

Fiona said: – “I’m delighted to be able to bring my expertise to the panel and look forward to working with the rest of the members. Obtaining the opinion from the GAAR advisory panel, which is independent of HMRC, is an important element of the operation of the general anti abuse rule.”

John Whiting CBE, GAAR panel chair, added: “I’m very glad to be able to welcome Fiona as a member of the GAAR panel: her expertise will be of real value to our work.”

For more information about the GAAR advisory panel, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/general-anti-abuse-rule-advisory-panel