Oxford Instruments’ (the “Group”) tax strategy supports the strategic objectives of the Group and applies equally to both UK and non-UK taxes and to all forms of tax. The Group pays a significant amount of tax to national and local governments, including taxes on employment, corporate taxes on profits, customs and excise duty on purchases, withholding taxes and environmental taxes. We also administer VAT and similar sales taxes charged to our customers and withholdings on payments made to our employees.
Objectives
Oxford Instruments plc manages its tax affairs in accordance with the following objectives:
Risk management and governance
Oxford Instruments’ tax strategy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Audit and Risk Committee, who receive updates on tax matters from the Group Finance department at least once per year and more often if required. In addition, the Audit and Risk Committee review the Group’s risk register quarterly and where appropriate this would include tax risks.
The Group identifies tax risks on a jurisdictional basis. In some jurisdictions, the Group employs suitably qualified tax specialists who work closely with operating businesses to
ensure tax risks are identified and suitably managed. In other jurisdictions, the Group works closely with external advisers to ensure tax risks are identified and suitably managed. The Group has a clear delegation of authority which requires transactions outside the ordinary course of business or with unusual tax consequences to be referred to the Group Finance department who will decide the best course of action and escalate to the Board if felt appropriate. The Group has a clear policy on the UK’s Corporate Criminal Offence of failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion.
It is acknowledged that the global taxation landscape is complex and constantly evolving. To reflect this we actively monitor, with the assistance of professional advisors, local and international developments, and aim to manage the tax costs and tax risks associated with all commercial transactions in the same way as for other commercial costs. This includes considering how changes in tax legislation in the UK and overseas will impact on our effective and cash tax rates.
Attitude to tax planning
We actively manage our liabilities across all taxes in the UK and overseas, in a manner that is consistent with our brand, our corporate and social responsibilities, and which reflects the commercial operations of our business. We seek to ensure that we pay the right amount of tax at the right time based on the laws, rules and regulations of the territories where we operate. Innovation is central to our business and we seek to claim tax incentives for research and development and the utilisation of patent box regimes for intellectual property. We involve our technical specialists in the preparation of such claims to ensure that the amounts claimed are just and reasonable. External advisers would also be consulted to ensure our approach to preparing claims is in line with legislation. We will not enter into tax planning, transactions or structures that are notifiable to tax authorities under mandatory tax avoidance disclosure regimes. Our business comprises a number of business units which are autonomously managed. We operate a transfer pricing policy which reflects this and all transfers of goods and services between related companies are conducted on an arm’s length basis.
Acceptable levels of tax risk
Oxford Instruments recognises that tax laws are complex and may be subject to different interpret at ion. As a consequence, tax positions may be reviewed and challenged by revenue authorities from time to time. We seek to mitigate this risk by taking appropriate professional advice and by fostering good working relationships with tax authorities. The Group has no rigid level of acceptable tax risk. When assessing a particular tax risk the Group considers various factors including reputational, financial and operational risks, as well as any potential impact on our relationship with any tax authorities. When appropriate this assessment will be informed by discussions with tax advisers.
Dealings with tax authorities
In our approach to dealing with tax authorities (including HMRC):
Where a particular transaction requires an advance clearance from a tax authority we would not normally proceed with such a transaction unless that clearance is obtained. Where the Group considers that risk or uncertainty could exist, for example, due to a change in the law, and the relevant tax authority offers the possibility of early engagement we will actively engage in dialogue on a real-time or pre-filing basis where it is practical to do so. Subject to available resources we will participate in consult at ion on future tax law change where we believe that it is in the Group’s best interests to do so.
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