This has been missed by many solicitors. As part of our service to our clients taking our Office Procedures Manual Service, we questioned this with the SRA and have obtained clear guidance in a letter from the SRA.
Below is the note issued by the SRA on 5th January. We do not think they will sanction you if you register now. For most solicitors handling conveyancing you will already be within the AML scope because you do property work and therefore will be already supervised for Anti- Money Laundering. It would seem that the form FA10b would be the one you would use. It is a very simple and quick job to complete and file this to inform them you advise on SDLT. It seems to be just a question of informing the SRA.
"Solicitor firms have until Sunday (10 January) to check if any tax advice work they carry out falls under a new definition for money-laundering purposes.
Last year’s fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive brought in amended regulations, with the definition of ‘tax adviser’ widened to include more activities than before. Any firm that finds it is now in the scope of the regulations needs to have applied to us or another AML supervisor, such HM Revenue & Customs to be supervised for money laundering before 10 January.
We have produced guidance on tax advice and AML for firms to help them determine whether or not they will fall within the scope of the regulations.
Paul Philip, Chief Executive, said: “Tackling money laundering is a priority for all of us and we know the vast majority of firms are committed to keeping the proceeds of crime out of the profession. Importantly, the amended regulations widen the definition of tax adviser, which means firms not currently engaged by the anti-money laundering regulations will shortly be included.”
“Any firm providing tax advisor services must check the position and, if necessary, apply to us or another AML supervisor. Alternatively, you might choose to drop the activities that bring you into scope.
“Whatever you choose to do, you need to have made that decision and acted accordingly before 10 January.”
The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (‘the regulations’) were amended on January 10, 2020. Tax adviser is now any firm or individual “who by way of business provides material aid, or assistance or advice, in connection with the tax affairs of other persons, whether provided directly or through a third party”.
Any firm now in scope needs to submit to us a completed FA10form including providing suitable Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for beneficial owners, officers and managers at their firm. They also need to make sure they comply with the regulations, other relevant statutes and our guidance, by 10 January 2021.
This includes assessing the risk for their in-scope business activities, as well as complying with other guidance and warning notices on AML, and Legal Sector Affinity Group guidance.
Those find that they carry out activities that are in scope of the new definition of tax adviser but will stop these activities before 10 January 2021, then no action is needed.
Anyone that needs further information can contact our Professional Ethics helpline. Ethics advisers however cannot decide whether a firm is in scope or not, only the firm can do that"
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to know more about how we may assist you with your compliance. 07887 524507 or [email protected] we cover all things linked with the SRA, have a national expert on the Solicitors Accounts Rules and indeed offer a DPO Service (Data Protection Officer) and assistance with Cyber Security and data breach. Please see the drop down at the top of our website for a list of our services. If you do not see what you are looking for please ask. We will bespoke for clients as well.
