COM124050 - Repayments / reallocations: repayment / reallocation authorisation: R49 check for large repayments
Selection of cases
(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
The check should be carried out whenever the following occur or there is any other large CT repayment
- a large repayment is created on COTAX which will be sent out by automated Bacs
- a large repayment is created on COTAX which is reallocated into OAS for repayment by HMRC Payments, unless it is a Bona Vacantia or Rule 14.44 case
- a large repayment created by an amendment to a SAFE charge, including archived CTA charges
Role of the R49 Checker
The role must be carried out by an officer of Grade 7 or above (except in LB where different arrangements apply), who is independent of the team generating the repayment and who has the appropriate technical knowledge, on the basis that they will be able to apply their skills and form an opinion on the accuracy and validity of the repayment. They are responsible for authorising the repayment as being accurate in all respects.
It is extremely important they carry out this role as it:
- provides extra assurance on larger repayments
- recognises there are additional risks to the exchequer and frequently detects human error
If any business area wishes to amend the role of the R49 checker, they must submit proposals to the CT Process & Data Owner team for approval, using the CT Process Team, Mailbox (OE) email address. The proposals must include a risk assessment of incorrect repayments claims being made and governance processes to address the risk.
Checks to be made by the R49 checker
It is the responsibility of the caseworker to complete page 1 of the R49 and the following, most of which can be found on SEES. Where the repayment is to be made:
- using OAS, an Intelligent Payment Processing form
- from the SAFE system, a SAFE 1 (New) stencil
- from a CTA archived charge, a SAFE (2) stencil
The caseworker should pass these along with all relevant papers and the R49 (pages 1 and 2) to the R49 checker and use COTAX function NOTE to show 'R49 raised'.
Notes:
- Where the caseworker is below the grade of Band O they should arrange for the R49 to be checked by a Band O or above before it is passed to the R49 checker.
- Depending on local arrangements, the caseworker may save the R49 as a Word document and electronically submit the case to the R49 checker.
On receipt of the R49, the checker must review the repayment before completing page 2 of the form and where appropriate, complete the IPP and SAFE stencil with their name and PID in the R49 box. They should use their knowledge and experience along with the questions on page 2 of the R49 to assist them. They should treat all repayments as potentially incorrect or suspicious.
Where the checker approves the repayment, the case must be passed to the Repayment Security Authoriser (RSA) to complete the R400 security checks except where the repayment is being made for a:
- local compliance record and is being made through the OAS system for a Bona Vacantia or Rule 14.44 case
- local compliance record and is being made from the SAFE system
- LB record and is being made from the SAFE system for an amount less than (This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
In these cases the IPP or SAFE stencil should be sent to HMRC Payments or the Miscellaneous Charges unit in Shipley respectively, to carry out the security checks and make the repayment.
A paper or electronic copy of the R49 must always be kept in one of the following:
- the file
- shared workspace record
- R49 batch
Where the checker does not approve the repayment they will either return the case to the RSA or caseworker for the repayment to be cancelled.
It is the RSA’s responsibility to ensure they have been given an approved R49 before carrying out the R400 security checks and authorising the repayment. Once they have done this, they make a COTAX note 'R49 authorised and filed at (the appropriate location)' and retain the R49 in the establishment file.
See: