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HMRC internal manual

Special Measures

SM03050 - Special Measure: Behaviours: Overview and criteria

Special Measures applies to large businesses (SM02000) that exhibit persistently un-cooperative behaviours when engaging with HMRC.

There are no specific criteria regarding the type or frequency of unco-operative behaviours, what matters is a sustained pattern that delays or hinders HMRC’s ability to carry out its functions without evidence of improvement.

HMRC evaluates the conduct of the large business as a whole. A series of minor behavioural issues may collectively suggest a broader pattern of unco-operative behaviour.

For a large business (SM02000) to fall under Special Measures, all of the following criteria must be met:

  • the business repeatedly demonstrates unco-operative behaviour
  • some or all of these behaviours contribute to at least 2 significant unresolved tax risks (SM03200)
  • there is a reasonable likelihood (SM03300) that similar unco-operative behaviours will occur again, potentially contributing to current or future tax risks