HMRC will use a “web robot” to search out traders who aren't registered, and fine them. What steps should new businesses take to make sure they're not penalised?
These days most businesses consider an Internet presence essential to their trade. HMRC has latched on to this fact and intends to use web robots to act as spies. These search programs will monitor millions of web pages and extract information, such as names, addresses and possibly much more.
Once the information is collected it will first be compared with HMRC's database of registered businesses. So if you haven’t registered your newly formed business within set deadlines you might be at risk of a challenge from HMRC. The result could be financial penalties.
To make sure you haven't inadvertently overlooked a notification, registration deadline or limit, please refer to the table below. If you have missed a deadline, we would recommend to contact HMRC immediately in order to minimise or even eliminate the potential penalty.
