An error by a bank to provide account statements was a reasonable excuse for the taxpayer’s failure to provide them to HMRC, and his appeal against penalties for failure to comply with an information notice was allowed.

Summary 

An error by a bank to provide account statements was a reasonable excuse for the taxpayer’s failure to provide them to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and his appeal against penalties for failure to comply with an information notice was allowed. 

Background 

On 6 February 2019, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued an information notice to the appellant (under FA 2008, Sch 36, para 1), requiring documents and information to be produced or provided by 18 December 2018. Amongst the documents listed were bank statements from Santander Bank and National Westminster Bank for the period from the opening of the account (or, if later, six years prior the