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Oil Taxation Act 1975

Type Public General Act

Publication 1975-05-08

Last updated 2019-02-12

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(5) In sub-paragraph (4) “relevant participators” means—

(a) each current participator (other than the defaulter), and

(b) each former participator who makes a default payment in respect of the defaulter's default.

2C

(1) An amount attributed under paragraph 2A(2) is—

(a) in the case of a current participator, to be an addition to the share of the abandonment expenditure referable to the current participator's interest in the oil field, or

(b) in the case of a former participator, to be the share of the abandonment expenditure referable to the former participator's interest in the oil field.

(2) In paragraphs 2A and 2B and this paragraph—

“abandonment expenditure” means expenditure which is allowable for an oil field by virtue of section 3(1)(i) or (j);

“abandonment programme” means an abandonment programme approved under Part 4 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (including any such programme as revised);

“current participator” means a person who is, by virtue of paragraph (a), (aa), (b) or (c) of the definition in section 12, a participator in the relevant oil field in the chargeable period in which the abandonment expenditure is incurred;

“former participator” means a person who—is not a current participator, butwas, by virtue of paragraph (a), (aa), (b) or (c) of the definition in section 12, a participator in the relevant oil field in any chargeable period before the chargeable period in which the abandonment expenditure is incurred;

“relevant agreement” has the meaning given by section 104(5)(a) of the Finance Act 1991;

“relevant oil field” means the oil field to which the abandonment expenditure relates;

“sum in default” means the amount of the payment which the defaulter is liable to make as mentioned in paragraph 2A(1)(a), less so much of that payment as has been made by the defaulter

(3) For the purposes of paragraph 2A, a current participator is to be regarded as defaulting on a liability to make a payment towards abandonment expenditure if the following conditions are met.

(4) The first condition is that the current participator has failed to make the payment in full on the due day.

(5) The second condition is that—

(a) any of the payment remains unpaid on the sixtieth day after the due day, or

(b) before that sixtieth day, the current participator's interest in a relevant licence becomes liable under the relevant agreement to be sold or forfeited, in whole or in part, by reason of the failure to meet the liability.

(6) In sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) “due day” means the day on which the payment towards abandonment expenditure becomes due under the relevant agreement or the abandonment programme.

Appeal: HMRC review or determination by tribunal

14A

(1) This paragraph applies if notice of appeal has been given to HMRC.

(2) In such a case—

(a) the participator may notify HMRC that the participator requires HMRC to review the matter in question (see paragraph 14B),

(b) HMRC may notify the participator of an offer to review the matter in question (see paragraph 14C), or

(3) See paragraphs 14G and 14H for provision about notifying appeals to the tribunal after a review has been required by the participator or offered by HMRC.

(4) This paragraph does not prevent the matter in question from being dealt with in accordance with paragraph 14(9).

Participator requires review by HMRC

14B

(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) apply if the participator notifies HMRC that the participator requires HMRC to review the matter in question.

(2) HMRC must, within the relevant period, notify the participator of HMRC’s view of the matter in question.

(3) HMRC must review the matter in question in accordance with paragraph 14E.

(4) The participator may not notify HMRC that the participator requires HMRC to review the matter in question and HMRC shall not be required to conduct a review if—

(a) the participator has already given a notification under this paragraph in relation to the matter in question,

(b) HMRC have given a notification under paragraph 14C in relation to the matter in question, or

(5) In this paragraph “relevant period” means—

(a) the period of 30 days beginning with the day on which HMRC receive the notification from the participator, or

(b) such longer period as is reasonable.

HMRC offer review

14C

(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) apply if HMRC notify the participator of an offer to review the matter in question.

(2) When HMRC notify the participator of the offer, HMRC must also notify the participator of HMRC’s view of the matter in question.

(3) If, within the acceptance period, the participator notifies HMRC of acceptance of the offer, HMRC must review the matter in question in accordance with paragraph 14E.

(4) If the participator does not give HMRC such a notification within the acceptance period, HMRC’s view of the matter in question is to be treated as if it were contained in an agreement in writing under paragraph 14(9) for the settlement of that matter.

(5) Sub-paragraph (4) does not apply to the matter in question if, or to the extent that, the participator notifies the appeal to the tribunal under paragraph 14H.

(6) HMRC may not notify the participator of an offer to review the matter in question (and, accordingly, HMRC shall not be required to conduct a review) if—

(a) HMRC have already given a notification under this paragraph in relation to the matter in question,

(b) the participator has given a notification under paragraph 14B in relation to the matter in question, or

(7) In this paragraph “acceptance period” means the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the document by which HMRC notify the participator of the offer to review the matter in question.

Notifying appeal to the tribunal

14D

(1) This paragraph applies if notice of appeal has been given to HMRC.

(2) The participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal.

(3) If the participator notifies the appeal to the tribunal, the tribunal is to decide the matter in question.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply in a case where—

(a) HMRC have given a notification of their view of the matter in question under paragraph 14B, or

(b) HMRC have given a notification under paragraph 14C in relation to the matter in question.

(5) In a case falling within sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (b), the participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal, but only if permitted to do so by paragraph 14G or 14H.

Nature of review etc

14E

(1) This paragraph applies if HMRC are required by paragraph 14B or 14C to review the matter in question.

(2) The nature and extent of the review are to be such as appear appropriate to HMRC in the circumstances.

(3) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (2), HMRC must, in particular, have regard to steps taken before the beginning of the review—

(a) by HMRC in deciding the matter in question, and

(b) by any person in seeking to resolve disagreement about the matter in question.

(4) The review must take account of any representations made by the participator at a stage which gives HMRC a reasonable opportunity to consider them.

(5) The review may conclude that HMRC’s view of the matter in question is to be—

(a) upheld,

(b) varied, or

(6) HMRC must notify the participator of the conclusions of the review and their reasoning within—

(a) the period of 45 days beginning with the relevant day, or

(b) such other period as may be agreed.

(7) In sub-paragraph (6) “relevant day” means—

(a) in a case where the participator required the review, the day when HMRC notified the participator of HMRC’s view of the matter in question,

(b) in a case where HMRC offered the review, the day when HMRC received notification of the participator’s acceptance of the offer.

(8) Where HMRC are required to undertake a review but do not give notice of the conclusions within the time period specified in sub-paragraph (6), the review is to be treated as having concluded that HMRC’s view of the matter in question (see paragraphs 14B(2) and 14C(2)) is upheld.

(9) If sub-paragraph (8) applies, HMRC must notify the participator of the conclusion which the review is treated as having reached.

Effect of conclusions of review

14F

(1) This paragraph applies if HMRC give notice of the conclusions of a review (see paragraph 14E(6) and (9)).

(2) The conclusions are to be treated as if they were an agreement in writing under paragraph 14(9) for the settlement of the matter in question.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to the matter in question if, or to the extent that, the participator notifies the appeal to the tribunal under paragraph 14G.

Notifying appeal to tribunal after review concluded

14G

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) HMRC have given notice of the conclusions of a review in accordance with paragraph 14E, or

(b) the period specified in paragraph 14E(6) has ended and HMRC have not given notice of the conclusions of the review.

(2) The participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal within the post-review period.

(3) If the post-review period has ended, the participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal only if the tribunal gives permission.

(4) If the participator notifies the appeal to the tribunal, the tribunal is to determine the matter in question.

(5) In this paragraph “post-review period” means—

(a) in a case falling within sub-paragraph (1)(a), the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the document in which HMRC give notice of the conclusions of the review in accordance with paragraph 14E(6), or

(b) in a case falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b), the period that—

(i) begins with the day following the last day of the period specified in paragraph 14E(6), and

(ii) ends 30 days after the date of the document in which HMRC give notice of the conclusion of the review in accordance with paragraph 14E(9).

Notifying appeal to tribunal after review offered but not accepted

14H

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) HMRC have offered to review the matter in question (see paragraph 14C), and

(b) the participator has not accepted the offer.

(2) The participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal within the acceptance period.

(3) But if the acceptance period has ended, the participator may notify the appeal to the tribunal only if the tribunal gives permission.

(4) If the participator notifies the appeal to the tribunal, the tribunal is to determine the matter in question.

(5) In this paragraph “acceptance period” has the same meaning as in paragraph 14C.

Interpretation of paragraphs 14A to 14H

14I

(1) In paragraphs 14A to 14H—

(a) “matter in question” means the matter to which an appeal relates;

(b) a reference to a notification is a reference to a notification in writing.

(2) In paragraphs 14A to 14H, a reference to the participator includes a person acting on behalf of the participator except in relation to—

(a) notification of HMRC’s view under paragraph 14B(2);

(b) notification by HMRC of an offer of review (and of their view of the matter) under paragraph 14C;

(d) notification of the conclusions of a review under paragraph 14E(9).

(3) But if a notification falling within sub-paragraph (2) is given to the participator, a copy of the notification may also be given to a person acting on behalf of the participator.

10

In this Schedule “tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or, where determined by or under Tribunal Procedure Rules, the Upper Tribunal.

Date of delivery or appropriation: shipped oil not sold at arm's length

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Areas that are oil fields

Areas treated as continuing to be oil fields

6

(1) This paragraph applies if an area has ceased to be—

(a) an oil field within the meaning of paragraph 1(1), or

(b) part of such an oil field.

(2) The area is to be treated as continuing to be—

(a) the oil field, or

(b) the part of the oil field,

that it actually was.

(3) Accordingly, whilst the area is treated in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), any reference to an oil field is to include a reference to the area.

(4) Sub-paragraph (2) ceases to apply to the area—

(a) in accordance with sub-paragraph (5), and

(b) if or to the extent that it has not ceased to apply in accordance with sub-paragraph (5), in accordance with sub-paragraph (6).

(5) Sub-paragraph (2) ceases to apply to the area if, or to the extent that, it again becomes—

(a) an oil field within the meaning of paragraph 1(1), or

(b) part of such an oil field.

(6) Sub-paragraph (2) ceases to apply to the area at the end of the second chargeable period that falls after the chargeable period in which the area is decommissioned.

7

(1) A relevant area is decommissioned for the purposes of paragraph 6 if all qualifying assets of the relevant area are decommissioned.

(2) If, and to the extent that, a UK offshore decommissioning regime applies to qualifying assets of the relevant area, those assets are decommissioned if—

(a) the Secretary of State has approved one or more abandonment programmes under the regime in relation to those assets, and

(b) those programmes have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State.

(3) If, and to the extent that, a UK offshore decommissioning regime does not apply to qualifying assets of the relevant area, those assets are decommissioned if the Board are satisfied that they have been decommissioned.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) the Board must have regard to any obligations to decommission the qualifying assets which arise under the law applicable to those qualifying assets (whether the law of any part of the United Kingdom or of any other state or territory), including any obligations imposed by an authority having functions under that law in respect of such decommissioning.

(5) If sub-paragraph (3) applies (to any extent) to any qualifying assets, the Board must give the responsible person notice of any decision the Board make under that sub-paragraph.

(6) The responsible person may appeal against such a decision by notice in writing given to the Board within three months of the responsible person receiving the notice under sub-paragraph (5).

(7) An appeal under sub-paragraph (6) may, before it is notified to the tribunal, be abandoned by notice in writing given to the Board by the responsible person.

(8) The provisions of paragraphs 14A to 14I of Schedule 2 apply to appeals under sub-paragraph (6) subject to any necessary modifications.

(9) In this paragraph—

“qualifying assets” means assets that are qualifying assets within the meaning of OTA 1983;

“relevant area” means an area that is treated as being an oil field, or part of an oil field, under paragraph 6;

“UK offshore decommissioning regime” means—Part 4 of the Petroleum Act 1998, andPart 1 of the Petroleum Act 1987.

Oil allowance.

12B

(1) In a case involving a relevant situation brought about carelessly by a participator (or a person acting on behalf of a participator), an assessment (or an amendment of an assessment) under this Schedule on the participator may be made at any time not more than 6 years after the end of the relevant chargeable period (subject to sub-paragraph (2) and (2A) ).

(2) In a case involving a relevant situation brought about deliberately by a participator (or a person acting on behalf of a participator), an assessment (or an amendment of an assessment) on the participator may be made at any time not more than 20 years after the end of the relevant chargeable period.

(2A) In a case involving a relevant situation brought about by arrangements which were expected to give rise to a tax advantage in respect of which a participator (or a person acting on behalf of a participator) was under an obligation to notify the Board under section 253 of the Finance Act 2014 (duty to notify Commissioners of promoter reference number) but failed to do so, an assessment (or an amendment of an assessment) on the participator may be made at any time not more than 20 years after the end of the relevant chargeable period.

(3) “Relevant situation” means a situation in which—

(a) there is a loss of tax,

(b) the assessable profit charged to tax by or stated in an assessment for a chargeable period ought to be or to have been larger,

(c) the allowable loss stated in an assessment or a determination of loss for a chargeable period ought to be or to have been smaller, or

(d) an assessment to tax should have been made for a chargeable period but was not made.

(4) “Relevant chargeable period” means—

(a) in the case of a further assessment under paragraph 12(2), the chargeable period in which the excessive allowable loss accrued, and

(b) in any other case, the chargeable period to which the assessment relates.

(5) Where the participator carried on a trade or business with one or more other persons at any time in the chargeable period for which the assessment under sub-paragraph (1) , (2) or (2A) is made, an assessment to tax in respect of the profits of that trade or business may also be made on any of the participator's partners.

(6) In determining the amount of the tax to be charged on a person for a chargeable period in an assessment in a case mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) , (2) or (2A) (including an assessment under sub-paragraph (5)), effect must be given to any relief or allowance to which that person would have been entitled for that period if a valid claim or application had been made.

(7) Sub-paragraph (6) only applies if the person on whom the assessment is made so requires.

(8) Subsections (5) to (7) of section 118 of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (losses and situations brought about carelessly or deliberately) apply for the purposes of this paragraph as they apply for the purposes of that Act.

(9) In subsection (6)(b) of that section (as it applies for the purposes of this paragraph), the reference to the person who provides the information has effect as if it included any person who becomes the responsible person for the oil field after the information is provided.

Claim for relief for overpaid tax etc

13A

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a participator has paid an amount by way of tax but believes that the tax was not due, or

(b) a participator has been assessed as liable to pay an amount by way of tax but believes that the tax is not due.

(2) The participator may make a claim to the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) for repayment or discharge of the amount.

(3) Paragraph 13B makes provision about cases in which HMRC are not liable to give effect to a claim under this paragraph.

(4) Paragraphs 13C to 14I make further provision about making and giving effect to claims under this paragraph.

(5) Paragraph 13F makes provision about the application of this paragraph and paragraphs 13B to 13E to amounts paid under contract settlements.

(6) HMRC are not liable to give relief in respect of a case described in sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b) except as provided—

(a) by this Schedule (following a claim under this paragraph), or

(b) by or under another provision of the Oil Taxation Acts.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraphs 13B to 13F, an amount paid by one person on behalf of another is treated as paid by the other person.

(8) In this paragraph and paragraphs 13B to 13F, “the Oil Taxation Acts” means—

(a) Parts 1 and 3 of this Act,

(b) the Oil Taxation Act 1983, and

Cases in which HMRC not liable to give effect to a claim

13B

(1) HMRC are not liable to give effect to a claim under paragraph 13A if or to the extent that the claim falls within a case described in this paragraph.

(2) Case A is where the amount paid, or liable to be paid, is excessive by reason of—

(a) a mistake in a claim, election or notice or a nomination under Schedule 10 to FA 1987, or

(b) a mistake consisting of making or giving, or failing to make or give, a claim, election or notice or a nomination under Schedule 10 to FA 1987.

(3) Case B is where the participator—

(a) has or could have sought relief by making a claim for expenditure to be allowed under section 3 or 4 (allowance of expenditure), or

(b) is or will be able to seek relief by taking other steps under the Oil Taxation Acts.

(4) Case C is where the participator—

(a) could have sought relief by taking such steps within a period that has now expired, and

(b) knew, or ought reasonably to have known, before the end of that period that such relief was available.

(5) Case D is where the claim is made on grounds that—

(a) have been put to a court or tribunal in the course of an appeal by the participator relating to the amount paid or liable to be paid, or

(b) have been put to HMRC in the course of an appeal by the participator relating to that amount that is treated as having been determined by a tribunal (by virtue of paragraph 14(9) (settling of appeals by agreement)).

(6) Case E is where the participator knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the grounds for the claim before the latest of the following—

(a) the date on which an appeal by the participator relating to the amount paid, or liable to be paid, in the course of which the ground could have been put forward (a “relevant appeal”) was determined by a court or tribunal (or is treated as having been so determined),

(b) the date on which the participator withdrew a relevant appeal to a court or tribunal, and

(7) Case F is where the amount in question was paid or is liable to be paid—

(a) in consequence of proceedings enforcing the payment of that amount brought against the participator by HMRC, or

(b) in accordance with an agreement between the participator and HMRC settling such proceedings.

(8) Case G is where—

(a) the amount paid, or liable to be paid, is excessive by reason of a mistake in calculating the participator's liability to tax, and

(b) liability was calculated in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time.

(9) Case G does not apply where the amount paid, or liable to be paid, is tax which has been charged contrary to EU law.

(10) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (9), an amount of tax is charged contrary to EU law if, in the circumstances in question, the charge to tax is contrary to—

(a) the provisions relating to the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital in Titles II and IV of Part 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, or

(b) the provisions of any subsequent treaty replacing the provisions mentioned in paragraph (a).

Making a claim

13C

(1) A claim under paragraph 13A may not be made more than 4 years after the end of the relevant chargeable period.

(2) In relation to a claim made in reliance on paragraph 13A(1)(a), the relevant chargeable period is—

(a) where the amount paid, or liable to be paid, is excessive by reason of a mistake in a return or returns under paragraph 2 or 5, the chargeable period to which the return (or, if more than one, the first return) relates, and

(b) otherwise, the chargeable period in respect of which the amount was paid.

(3) In relation to a claim made in reliance on paragraph 13A(1)(b), the relevant chargeable period is —

(a) where the amount liable to be paid is excessive by reason of a mistake in a return or returns under paragraph 2 or 5, the chargeable period to which the return (or, if more than one, the first return) relates, and

(b) otherwise, the chargeable period to which the assessment relates.

(4) A claim under paragraph 13A must be in such form as the HMRC may prescribe.

Decision on claim

13D

HMRC must—

(a) make a decision on the claim, and

(b) by notice inform the participator of their decision.

Assessment of claimant in connection with claim

13E

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a claim is made under paragraph 13A,

(b) the grounds for giving effect to the claim also provide grounds for making an assessment or determination under paragraph 10 or 12, or an amendment of such an assessment or determination, on the participator in respect of any accounting period, and

(c) such an assessment, determination or amendment could be made but for the expiry of a time limit in paragraph 10(1A), 12(1A), 12A or 12B.

(2) Where this paragraph applies—

(a) the time limit does not apply, and

(b) the assessment, determination or amendment is not out of time if it is made before the final determination of the claim.

(3) A claim is not finally determined until it, or the amount to which it relates, can no longer be varied (whether on appeal or otherwise).

Contract settlements

13F

(1) In paragraph 13A(1)(a) the reference to an amount paid by a participator by way of tax includes an amount paid by a person under a contract settlement in connection with tax believed to be due.

(2) Sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) apply if the person who paid the amount under the contract settlement (“the payer”) and the person from whom the tax was due (“the taxpayer”) are not the same person.

(3) In relation to a claim under paragraph 13A in respect of that amount—

(a) the references to the participator in paragraph 13B(5) to (7) (Cases D, E and F) have effect as if they included the taxpayer,

(b) the reference to the participator in paragraph 13B(8) (Case G) has effect as if it were a reference to the taxpayer, and

(4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies where the grounds for giving effect to a claim by the payer in respect of the amount also provide grounds for making an assessment or determination under paragraph 10 or 12, or an amendment of such an assessment or determination, on the taxpayer in respect of any chargeable period.

(5) HMRC may set any amount repayable to the payer by virtue of the claim against any amount payable by the taxpayer by virtue of the assessment, determination or amendment.

(6) The obligations of HMRC and the taxpayer are discharged to the extent of any set-off under sub-paragraph (5).

(7) “Contract settlement” means an agreement made in connection with any person's liability to make a payment to HMRC under or by virtue of an enactment.

Transfers of interests in oil fields: post-transfer decommissioning expenditure

11A

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) there is, for the purposes of Schedule 17 to FA 1980, a transfer by a participator in an oil field of the whole or part of an interest in the field, and

(b) on or after 1 November 2018, the OGA gives consent for the transfer.

(2) Paragraph 8(1) (certain subsidised expenditure to be disregarded) does not apply to any decommissioning expenditure that—

(a) is incurred by the new participator, and

(b) has been, or is to be, met directly or indirectly out of a payment made by the old participator.

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies if, at the end of the transfer period, the old participator is no longer a licensee or a participator in respect of any licensed area wholly or partly included in the oil field.

(4) Decommissioning expenditure that is incurred by the old participator, after the end of the transfer period, is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as having been incurred by the new participator (and paragraph 8(1) does not apply to any such expenditure).

(5) If the old participator has transferred the whole or part of another interest in the oil field to the new participator, but the condition in sub-paragraph (1)(b) was not met in respect of the transfer, references in sub-paragraphs (2) and (4) to decommissioning expenditure are references to such proportion of that expenditure as is just and reasonable.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) “decommissioning expenditure” means—

(i) expenditure that is incurred, in relation to the oil field mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a), for a purpose within section 3(1)(i) or (j) (decommissioning or restoration), and

(ii) is allowable under that section;

(b) “the old participator”, “the new participator” and “the transfer period” have the same meaning as in Schedule 17 to FA 1980 (see paragraph 1(3) of that Schedule).

(7) If there is, for the purposes of Schedule 17 to FA 1980, a subsequent transfer of the whole or part of an interest in the oil field mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a), references in this paragraph to “the old participator” include references to each participator whose interest, or part of it, in the oil field is the subject of a transfer to which this paragraph applies.

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