If it is known that arrangements have been made to hide or launder monies from evasion through financial institutions, nominees or others, HMRC can issue an identity unknown notice. This is a written notice requiring a person to provide information or documents reasonably required to check the tax position of either:-
An identity unknown notice can be used by HMRC, for example, to require banks to provide information about off-shore bank accounts.
Before a notice can be issued an Authorised Officer must get the approval of the Tribunal except where the notice is given to:-
The Tribunal must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that there has been a failure to comply with tax law that may seriously prejudice the assessment or collection of tax and that the information cannot be obtained in any other way.