Itron (UK) Ltd Tax Strategy
1.0 Introduction
This document, approved by the Board of Itron (U.K.) Ltd , sets out Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s policy and approach to conducting its tax affairs and dealing with tax risk, and is made available to all Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s stakeholders. The document will be reviewed annually by the Finance Department and any amendments will be approved by Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Board of Directors.
It is effective for the year ending 31 December 2017, and will remain in effect until any amendments are approved by Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Board of Directors.
The Finance Department are accountable to the Board of Directors for ensuring that:
1. The strategy is adopted and followed consistently with clear lines of responsibility and accountability.
2. There is alignment of the strategy with Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s overall approach to corporate governance and risk management, and
3. Itron (U.K.) Ltd pays the right amount of tax required of it under the laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates.
2.0 Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Tax Policy
Itron (U.K.) Ltd is committed to conduct its tax affairs consistent with the following objectives, to:
1. Comply with all relevant laws, rules, regulations, and reporting and disclosure requirements, wherever we operate
2. Ensure the tax strategy is at all times consistent with Itron’s overall strategy, its approach to risk, and Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Core Values
3. Apply professional diligence and care in the management of all risks associated with tax matters, and ensure governance and assurance procedures are appropriate
4. Foster constructive, professional and transparent relationships with tax authorities, based on the concepts of integrity, collaboration and mutual trust
5. Itron (U.K.) Ltd will use incentives and reliefs to minimise the tax costs of conducting its business activities, but will not use them for purposes which are knowingly contradictory to the intent of the legislation.
3.0 Itron ( U.K.) Ltd’s Tax Code of Conduct
This Itron (U.K.) Ltd Tax Code of Conduct (CoC) outlines the principles setting out how Itron (U.K.) Ltd people are expected to operate with respect to tax matters in support of the above Itron (U.K.) Ltd Tax Policy.
Non adherence to this CoC could constitute a disciplinary matter, potentially leading to sanctions up to and including dismissal.
The Itron (U.K.) Ltd Tax CoC is set out in detail below.
1. Compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
Itron (U.K.) Ltd is committed to observing all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and reporting and disclosure requirements, wherever there is a requirement to do so as a result of our business presence and transactions, in line with our Integrity Core Value.
Importantly, Itron (U.K.) Ltd will collaborate with the company’s external Tax specialists to seek advice and guidance necessary to ensure compliance. There are clear management responsibilities, backed up by regular monitoring and review, carried out by members of the Finance Department and external specialists with the necessary experience and skill set.
2. Consistency with Itron (U.K) Ltd’s strategy
Tax decisions will be made at all times in a manner which is consistent with and complements Itron’s overall strategy. Key business decisions should be made cognisant of the tax consequences and with the aim of optimising the after-tax returns for the company’s shareholders. The Finance Department will partner with the business to ensure there is that consistency.
3. Governance, Assurance and Tax Risk Management
Responsibility and accountability for the Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s tax affairs is clearly defined and decisions will be taken at an appropriate level, determined by formal Company Delegation of Authority.
Diligent professional care and judgement will be employed to assess tax risks in order to arrive at well-reasoned conclusions on how the risks should be managed. Where there is uncertainty as to the application or interpretation of tax law, appropriate written advice evidencing the facts, risks and conclusions may be taken from third party advisers to support the decision-making process.
In reviewing the risks of a tax action or decision, always bearing in mind the requirements of the Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Tax Policy, the following would be considered:
• the legal and fiduciary duties of directors and employees
• the requirements of our Core Values and policies such as Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Ethics Policy
• the maintenance of corporate reputation, having particular regard to the principles embodied in Itron (U.K) Ltd’s Social Responsibility Core Value regarding the way we interact with the communities around us
• the tax benefits and impact on Itron (U.K.) Ltd reported result comparative to the potential financial costs involved, including the risk of penalties and interest
• the wider consequences of potential disagreement with tax authorities, and any possible impact on relationships with them.
Itron (U.K.) Ltd employs various risk management processes and systems to provide assurance that the requirements of the Itron (U.K.) Ltd’s Tax Policy are being met. This includes compliance and risk monitoring systems and internal audit reviews of tax compliance activity across the company.
4. Relationships with tax authorities
Itron (U.K.) Ltd is committed to the principles of openness and transparency in its approach to dealing with tax authorities wherever we operate around the world. We aim to avoid unnecessary disputes with the tax authorities , therefore minimising any tax risk. All dealings with the tax authorities and other relevant bodies will be conducted in a collaborative, courteous and timely manner. The aim would be to strive for early agreement on disputed matters, and to achieve certainty wherever possible.
5. Incentives and reliefs
Itron (U.K.) Ltd believes that it should pay the amounts of tax legally due in any territory. Itron (U.K.) Ltd will not engage in any artificial transactions with the sole or main purpose of which is to reduce the company’s tax liability. There will, however, be circumstances where this amount may not be clearly defined, or where alternative approaches may result in differing tax outcomes. The company will use its best judgement in determining the appropriate course of action, using available reliefs and incentives where possible.
6. UK context
On 9 December 2015, HMRC in the UK published a draft Framework for Cooperative Compliance in the UK, following a consultation process titled “Improving Large Business Tax Compliance”. In particular, this addresses the relationship between large businesses and HMRC in the UK, and promotes best practice in a business’ governance over its UK tax affairs. Our Tax Strategy aligns with the published draft. In particular, Itron (U.K.) Ltd commits to:
• adopt open and collaborative professional relationships at all times with HMRC;
• engage in full, open and early dialogue with HMRC to discuss tax planning, strategy, risks and significant transactions;
• make fair, accurate and timely disclosure in correspondence and returns, and respond to queries and information requests in a timely fashion;
• seek to resolve issues with HMRC in real time and before returns are filed if possible, and where disagreements arise, work with HMRC to resolve issues by agreement (where possible);
• be open and transparent about decision-making, governance and tax planning;
• reasonably believe that transactions are structured to give a tax result which is not inconsistent with the economic consequences (unless specific legislation anticipates that result), nor contrary to the intentions of Parliament; and
• interpret the relevant laws in a reasonable way, and ensure transactions are structured consistently with a co-operative relationship;