Mobile Sourcing Ltd v Revenue & Customs [2014] UKFTT 1089 (TC) (08 December 2014)

Mobile Sourcing Ltd v Revenue & Customs [2014] UKFTT 1089 (TC) (08 December 2014)

The fraud exception does not apply because WIGIG’s fraudulent acts regarding MSL’s bank account were not directly related to the Disputed VAT Transactions. There was no sufficient nexus between the agent’s fraud and the VAT transactions in question. Therefore, WIGIG’s knowledge of the VAT fraud is imputed to MSL, and input tax is denied.

Citation
[2014] UKFTT 1089 (TC)
Parties
Appellant: Mobile Sourcing Ltd; Respondents: The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
08 December 2014
Procedural Posture
VAT Input Tax Appeal (preliminary Issue) / First Tier Tribunal (tax Chamber) Preliminary Hearing
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
VAT Fraud, Input Tax Denial, Constructive Knowledge, Fraud Exception for Agents, Attribution of Knowledge, Agency Liability

Case Brief

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Parties

Mobile Sourcing Ltd

Appellant

The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs

Respondents

Procedural Posture

VAT Input Tax Appeal (preliminary Issue) / First Tier Tribunal (tax Chamber) Preliminary Hearing

  1. 1 Whether the fraudulent knowledge of MSL’s agent WIGIG regarding VAT fraud should be imputed to MSL for the Disputed VAT Trades
  2. 2 Whether the 'fraud exception' applies to prevent attribution of WIGIG’s knowledge to MSL in respect of the Disputed VAT Trades

Ratio Decidendi

The fraud exception does not apply because WIGIG’s fraudulent acts regarding MSL’s bank account were not directly related to the Disputed VAT Transactions. There was no sufficient nexus between the agent’s fraud and the VAT transactions in question. Therefore, WIGIG’s knowledge of the VAT fraud is imputed to MSL, and input tax is denied.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • MSL’s appeal against HMRC’s decision to deny input tax for the 04/06 VAT period is dismissed.