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The general anti-abuse rule (GAAR) applies with effect from 17 July 2013 and it is intended to counteract tax advantages that would, ignoring the GAAR, arise from abusive tax arrangements. Note that the Scotland and Wales have their own versions of the GAAR in respect of devolved taxes, see A1.535 (Scotland) and A1.543 (Wales).

For an overview of the GAAR, see A7.411.

The commentary below explains the counteraction of equivalent arrangements under the GAAR via a pooling notice or a binding notice. These notices allow HMRC to counteract a tax advantage where a proposed counteraction notice or a final GAAR counteraction notice has been issued in respect of arrangements that are substantially the same.

For a list of the taxes covered by the GAAR and the definition of tax advantage, see A7.411.

The GAAR Advisory Panel referenced in the commentary below is an independent committee that reviews and approves HMRC's guidance on the GAAR. It also provides opinions on individual cases referred to it¹. For Panel opinions, see A7.417.