Clause 213 seems to be a fairly straightforward anti-avoidance measure that extends the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes. Tax specialists are required to notify HMRC of any schemes that they believe exploit loopholes to reduce tax to areas of stamp duty where they did not previously apply. It links with the previous clauses and it gives the Treasury the power to make regulations to modify the way in which the DOTAS rules apply to SDLT avoidance schemes.

The measures are welcome. The DOTAS was introduced in 2004 under the Labour Government. Eight years on, it is still a fairly innovative approach to countering tax avoidance. It was limited to high-risk areas of income  tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax. A similar scheme was introduced for VAT at the same time. Over the years it has been extended to cover more areas of tax, and that is a welcome development, which we very much support. Does the Minister find the DOTAS regime to be an extremely valuable weapon in the fight against tax avoidance?