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Offshore funds survey
Grant Thornton UK LLP June 2012
Contents

The research was conducted through a
combination of telephone interviews and
an on-line survey.
   Respondent anonymity has been
maintained to ensure that no comments,
views or dates can be attributed to an
individual or organisation.
   This full report will be received by all
those asked to participate in the survey.
This will enable them to compare their
own responses with those of other funds,
managers and organisations.




                                              Contents

                                              2	Contents
                                              3	     Introduction
                                              4	Background
                                              5	     Summary of survey findings
                                              The Survey
                                              6-11	Observations
                                              12	    Practical issues – Applications
                                              13-19	 Practical issues – Reporting
                                              20-23	 Summary thoughts
                                              24	    Financial Services Tax/Contacts



2 Offshore Funds Survey
Introduction

Intended audience                              income profits, albeit that losses remain           The comments that we received
This survey is designed and intended           as capital losses.                              confirmed that these issues which our
for individuals responsible for UK                                                             clients face are also concerns for the wider
tax and compliance of offshore funds           Implementation                                  offshore fund industry. The remainder of
marketed to UK investors. A level of           As with any new and complex regime,             this document details the responses to the
knowledge of the existing and previous         and as confirmed by the results of this         questions we asked and also allows for a
tax rules relating to offshore funds is        survey, teething problems along the             number of conclusions to be drawn.
assumed, but where specific or detailed        way cannot be avoided. The original RF              We would like to thank all participants
technical points are referred to further       regulations and accompanying guidance           who took part in this survey, without
explanation is provided.                       were released after a two year long             whose input this survey would not have
                                               consultation, and have subsequently been        been possible.
The new regime                                 updated four times, the most significant            We hope you find this survey of
The new Reporting Fund (RF) regime             of which was less than a year ago in May        interest and would be pleased to discuss
came into effect on 1 December 2009. It        2011. It seems likely that this will not be     further with interested parties.
replaces and is intended to simplify the       the last as more funds seek to join the
previous UK Distributor Status (UKDS)          new regime and raise new questions on           Grant Thornton UK LLP
rules applicable to offshore funds.            issues that have not been addressed in the      Financial Services Tax Team
    The purpose of the new regime from         existing legislation or guidance.               June 2012
a tax perspective remains as before, i.e.          The transitional provisions within the
to prevent conversion of income into           regulations allowed for distributing funds
capital gains by the rolling up of income      to delay entry into the new regime for
offshore in a low tax environment and          one further accounting period following
then realising this in capital form.           the accounting period containing 1
    With the current differential between      December 2009. Other funds, particularly
the UK capital gains and income tax rates,     those which in the past have had to
this is one of the ways HM Revenue &           operate reinvestment mechanics or which
Customs (HMRC) seeks to prevent the            had holdings in other offshore funds,
avoidance of tax by UK taxpayers.              welcomed the ability to enter into the
    Funds which choose to be part of           regime at an earlier stage.
the RF regime are required to notify               With this in mind, and with the
investors of income, as calculated under       first annual reporting cycle now either
the regulations, for an accounting period.     complete or currently in progress,
UK taxpaying investors must then report        Grant Thornton decided to undertake
and pay tax on their share of this income      an industry survey and produce a
regardless of actual distributions received.   summary document, designed to
Actual distributions are not subject to        facilitate discussions of the issues faced in
further tax to the extent they do not          complying with the new rules.
exceed reported income allocations.                The questions asked in this survey
    Investors realising investments in         cover a range of specific areas and
reporting funds may treat any gains            tried to focus on the issues where we
arising on disposal as capital for tax         know a number of our clients and the
purposes. Profits made on the disposal of      wider industry have had comments and
non-reporting offshore funds are taxed as      concerns.


                                                                                                                    Offshore Funds Survey 3
Background

A total of 50 selected        A wide spectrum of asset classes is           It was initially estimated that the
                              represented by the survey participants.    survey conversation would take 20
offshore fund providers       Some respondents represent small funds,    minutes, but it was found that in a
and administrators were       some are very large, multi-fund managers   number of cases people preferred to
contacted to participate in   and some are from the middle ground.       complete the survey electronically.
                              In addition, a number of offshore fund     Where conversations did take place the
this survey.                  administrators were contacted to gather    discussion took nearer three quarters of
                              their views.                               an hour, with the longest lasting an hour
                                 Each participant was informed of the    and a half. This is clearly indicative of the
                              objectives of the research survey and      richness of the responses and the extent
                              the survey questionnaire. The survey       of the consideration given to compliance
                              questionnaire contained 23 specific        with the regime. The time commitment
                              questions which were grouped under         from all involved in this process is very
                              four headings:                             much appreciated.
                                                                            Discussions took place with Chief
                              •	Observations                             Financial Officers, Chief Operating
                              •	 Practical issues – Applications         Officers, Product Managers and others
                              •	 Practical issues – Reporting            closely involved in the offshore funds
                              •	 Summary thoughts                        regime. Respondents were forthcoming
                                                                         and candid in their views expressed.
                                                                         Selected anonymised comments are used
                                                                         throughout this document to emphasise
                                                                         a point or to support conclusions reached
                                                                         by Grant Thornton.




4 Offshore Funds Survey
Summary of survey findings

The original aim of the      Simplification                                 In line with expectations, 62%
                             Perhaps unsurprisingly, only 22% of         of respondents are using a website
regulations was to remove    respondents think that the new RF           as a means of reporting to investors.
impediments from the         regime is simpler than the previous         However, there is concern that
UK tax regime for multi-     UKDS regime. That said, for the             information is not reaching the
                             majority of people we have spoken to        underlying investor, especially where
tiered fund structures, by   who have now completed their first year     nominee accounts are used or where
simplifying the operation    of reporting, the process appears to have   investors do not have access to the
of the offshore funds tax    run smoothly.                               internet.
regime and providing more
                             Income distribution                         Equalisation
certainty to UK investors    When asked whether or not having to         Although only 23% of respondents
and funds. Although the      distribute income has influenced the        have had difficulties with the operation
removal of the 5% test       decision to join the regime, only 41%       of equalisation, most respondents
                             of respondents felt that it had. However,   highlighted equalisation as being an
for investment in other      of those that felt that it had not, a       added complexity for which they
non-qualifying offshore      number acknowledged the ability now         would like to see further guidance from
funds goes a long way to     for accumulation funds to apply for RF      HMRC. Surprisingly, given the last man
                             status as being a welcome development,      standing issue, only 22% of respondents
achieving this aim, it is    potentially enabling some hedge fund        have changed their approach to
questionable whether the     promoters to now market to the UK           equalisation.
requirements of the RF       without adverse UK tax consequences
                             for investors.
regime are simpler than
those of the UKDS rules.     Administration costs
                             52% of respondents have seen
                             administration costs increase, with the
                             operation of equalisation and increased
                             reporting duties being the main reason
                             behind these increases.

                             Reporting
                             The majority, 70%, of respondents
                             would like to see a pro-forma template
                             introduced to allow a standardised
                             form for reporting. It is believed
                             that this would provide consistency
                             amongst reports helping to improve
                             investor understanding. Worryingly,
                             but perhaps unsurprisingly, only 19%
                             of respondents feel that investors have a
                             good understanding of the information
                             they are provided with.


                                                                                             Offshore Funds Survey 5
Observations

Q. The new definition of an offshore fund                         Fig 1: New definition of an offshore fund
has resulted in many more funds coming
within the new regime. Do you have funds
                                                                       Yes
which fell outside the old definition but                              17%

now come within the new definition of
an offshore fund, and if so, how has this
impacted your business?
                                                                                                               Not applicable
                                                                                                                    83%


Grant Thornton comment:
A new tax definition of an offshore fund came into effect on      0           20             40               60          80    100
1 December 2009, potentially resulting in more funds coming
into the regime for the first time and therefore having to
consider the impact of the regulations.
   Most respondents (83%) felt that this had little impact on
their business.
   The new definition of an offshore fund provides a new
characteristics driven definition of a ‘mutual fund’ (S.355
& S.356 TIOPA 2010). In the run up to the introduction of
the new rules it had perhaps been anticipated that a number
of funds previously excluded from the old definition of
an offshore fund would be caught by the new rules. The
response to the question indicates that this is not necessarily
the case.
   As an aside (although untested by this survey) it would
                                                                      “We now have to prepare RF
perhaps be interesting to assess how many funds and                   calculations for funds that
managers outside of the old UKDS regime have undertaken
a review to assess the applicability of the RF regime across          previously did not require it”
their full range of products.
   For those answering positively, the inclusion now of some
closed ended funds has created additional work.




6 Offshore Funds Survey
Q. The new RF regime facilitates funds not                       Fig 2: Income distribution
having to distribute their income. Has this
influenced your decision for funds to join
                                                                                                   Yes
the new regime?                                                                                    41%




Grant Thornton comment:
The new rules makes RF status more accessible to funds which                                                           No
had previously been unable or unwilling to satisfy the UKDS                                                           59%
requirements.
   A significant number of respondents considered the
introduction of the new rules as a reason to bring in funds      0         10          20     30     40         50          60
which had previously been excluded.
   This is supported by what is known about the wider
market. Since the inception of the new regime HMRC’s data
shows that there has been an approximate 60% increase in the
number of reporting funds registered compared to the number
of funds registered for UKDS. A number of funds have taken
the opportunity to launch new share classes while the removal
of the 5% test has allowed more fund of fund structures to
enter the regime.
   In terms of respondents answering no to this question, a
number cited the potential for ‘dry tax charges’ (investors
being assessed to tax on a reported income figure and not
having the associated distribution to pay the tax) as a reason
for not bringing more products within the scope of the new
                                                                     “Clients are taking the
rules.
   The point made by respondents is very valid where
                                                                     opportunity not to distribute
investment strategy gives rise to significant income streams.
However, where capital growth is the main investment
                                                                     as a way of entering the
driver, with only minimal income arising, it seems likely that
funds in this position will have chosen to accept a degree of
                                                                     regime, and are now
administrative work in return for the perceived benefit RF
status brings. This perhaps indicates one of the reasons why
                                                                     marketing heavily in the UK”
the take up of the new regime has been so high.




                                                                                                          Offshore Funds Survey 7
Observations


Fig 3: Retrospective UK Distributor Status applications
                                                          Q. Where you have funds that have now
                                                          decided to join the RF regime but did not
                                                          previously have UKDS, despite being
                                                          classified as offshore funds, have you
                                                          considered retrospective applications for
                                                          UKDS to potentially help mitigate tax
                                                   Yes
                                                   32%
                                                          liabilities of UK investors?

           Not applicable
                39%
                                                          Grant Thornton comment:
                                                          HMRC has, in the past, allowed retrospective applications for
                                                          UKDS by funds which have not previously been distributing.
                                                          This is often seen where funds have little or no income and the
                                                          extra administration of being part of the regime going forwards
                                        No
                                       29%                was seen as an acceptable trade-off for the associated investor’s
                                                          tax benefits. As many readers will be aware, without a specific
                                                          election by an investor, a fund must have held UKDS or have
                                                          been part of the RF regime for an investor’s entire period of
                                                          ownership in order to ensure capital treatment on disposal.
                                                             With the introduction of the RF regime it had been
                                                          anticipated that some funds would join the regime and bring
                                                          older periods into UKDS by making retrospective applications.
                                                          One particular respondent to the survey confirmed that their
                                                          organisation has made a number of retrospective applications for
                                                          long only, non-trading hedge funds.
                                                             The results support this hypothesis in that 32% of survey
                                                          respondents have considered making retrospective applications.




8 Offshore Funds Survey
Fig 4: Applications for new products


50

40                                            Not applicable
                                                   41%
                                        No
30                                     35%


              Yes
20            24%


10

  0



Q. Has the new regime facilitated making RF
applications for products which you were
previously unable to obtain UKDS for, and
if so, what types of products?


Grant Thornton comment:
The RF regime has opened up the opportunity for funds and
products to enter into the regime where before they were
unable to do so due to restrictions imposed under the old       “We now have in excess
regulations.
   The removal of the requirement to distribute and the         of 500 share classes
5% investment restriction are welcome developments, and
has led to both accumulation shares and some hedge funds        registered as reporting
now joining the regime. There has also been a significant
increase in the number of fund of fund structures joining the   funds”
regime, although a number of respondents have experienced
difficulties in collating the necessary information from
underlying funds.




                                                                                 Offshore Funds Survey 9
Observations


 Fig 5: Marketing assistance


60
                                  No
                                 59%
50

40

30
                                                  Not applicable
20                                                     24%
             Yes
             17%
10

  0



Q. To assist with marketing, have you
applied for RF status for funds which
strictly do not need the status, for example,
transparent funds?


Grant Thornton comment:
Certain fund types, for example some foreign unit trusts
and Fonds Commun de Placement, are tax transparent for
income purposes but opaque for capital gains purposes, and
are therefore within the new definition of an offshore fund.
However, even if the fund chooses to be a non-reporting fund,
it is possible for it to still be excluded from potential offshore
income gains treatment provided they meet certain conditions.
As such, there may be no advantage to these funds being in the
regime, although some providers have nevertheless sought to
apply for RF status in respect of these funds.                       “We have applied for good
                                                                     non-reporting status for a
    Comments from some respondents indicate that the
marketability of new products is improved if membership of

                                                                     number of funds”
the RF regime can be shown even if it is perhaps not needed.
This could well be driven by less sophisticated investors or
those with strict investment due diligence checklists.




10 Offshore Funds Survey
Fig 6: Administration costs                          Q. Have you seen administration costs
60                                                   increase as a result of complying with the
                                                     new regime?
50           Yes
             52%

40
                               No                    Grant Thornton comment:
                              38%
30                                                   Owing to the increased requirements to provide information
                                                     to both HMRC and investors it was anticipated that
20                                                   administrative costs would increase under the new regime.
                                                         Comments from respondents indicate that the RF regime
10                                  Not applicable   is seen as significantly more complex than UKDS. Specific
                                         10%
 0                                                   areas mentioned which have added complexity and therefore
                                                     costs are effective yield calculations, collation of information
                                                     for fund of funds and equalisation.
                                                         In addition the number of non-UKDS funds which have
                                                     now joined the RF regime will have increased overall costs
                                                     for larger managers and administrators with wide portfolios
                                                     of products.




                                                                                               Offshore Funds Survey 11
Practical issues - Applications


Fig 7: Application rejected                                 Fig 8: Further information




                                                               Yes
    Yes                                                        14%
    0%




                                        Not applicable                                                  No
                                            100%                                                       86%




0           20                40   60   80           100   0            20               40   60        80        100


Q. If you have had an initial RF application               Q. Have you been asked by HMRC for
rejected, what were the stated reasons and                 further information for either the initial
the ultimate outcome?                                      application or the subsequent reports, and if
                                                           so, what further information was required?


                                                           Grant Thornton comment:
                                                           Managers of offshore funds are now able to obtain forward
                                                           looking certification of a fund as a reporting fund which
                                                           will continue to apply until the fund chooses to leave or is
                                                           removed from the regime.
 “More information required                                   Respondents commented that HMRC has requested
                                                           further information to asses initial applications in limited
 on derivatives and series                                 circumstances, these being where derivatives were being used

 share classes”
                                                           and series of share classes being operated. However, in our
                                                           sample no legitimate applications had actually been refused
                                                           by HMRC.




12 Offshore Funds Survey
Practical issues - Reporting


Fig 9: Reportable income calculations and reports                   Fig 10: Pro-forma template



                                                                                                                     Yes
                                                                                                                     70%
                                                Yes
                                                81%

                                                                                 No
                                                                                22%

       No
      19%
                                                                            Not sure
                                                                              8%


0           20           40            60           80    100      0      10       20      30    40     50      60         70   80



Q. Have reportable income calculations and                         Q. Would you like to see a pro-forma
reports for investors now been prepared for                        template to allow a standardised form for
your funds?                                                        reporting?



Grant Thornton comment:                                            Grant Thornton comment:
The new rules came into effect on 1 December 2009, meaning         The issue of a standardised form of reporting has been
that the majority of funds have now prepared, or are in the        raised with HMRC, who has stated that it has no objection
process of preparing their first reportable income calculations.   in principle. However, HMRC is also wary of being too
   However, there are still some funds that were already           prescriptive and suggest that an industry-led tool solution
certified under the UKDS regime which have elected to              would seem appropriate.
use the transitional provisions to continue to be certified as        Respondents to the survey were very much in favour of
distributing funds for as long as possible. The reason cited for   standardised reporting, however the complexity and variety
delaying entry into the new regime is the perception that the      of offshore funds would require an extremely sophisticated
UKDS regime is simpler. The requirement to report 100% of          ‘one size fits all’ type reporting programme. Respondents
income rather than 85% has also been a factor.                     acknowledged this, and a number stated that although they
                                                                   liked the idea in principle, they could see how in practice this
                                                                   would not be easy to implement.




    “Difficult to implement with different options for equalisation”

                                                                                                             Offshore Funds Survey 13
Practical issues - Reporting


Fig 11: Format of report
                                                Q. In what format are you making your
                                                report to investors available?


                              Other             Grant Thornton comment:
                               7%
                                                Reporting funds are required to make a report available
           Individual email
              to investor                       to each investor who is resident in the UK (or which is a
                  12%
                                                reporting fund) within six months of the end of the reporting
                                                period.
                                                   Clearly, the majority of respondents favour the
         Individual letter                      dissemination of information via the internet given
            to investor
                19%                             the saving in cost and administration this represents.
                                      Website
                                       62%      Smaller organisations may tend to use a variety of other
                                                communication methods suited to the needs of their
                                                investors.
                                                   Whilst the internet was clearly the method of choice for
                                                the majority of those we spoke to, a number of respondents
                                                expressed concern as to whether the relevant information was
                                                ending up in the hands of the underlying investor, especially
                                                where nominee accounts were being operated.
                                                   Although HMRC is sympathetic to the industry’s
                                                concerns, it has expressed the view that to the extent that the
                                                fund is aware that the method of delivery does not achieve
                                                the required outcome, then it is the fund’s responsibility to
                                                consider whether the information should be supplied in a
                                                different format.




                                                     “My concern is what
                                                     happens to those without
                                                     internet access”



14 Offshore Funds Survey
Q. Do you feel that investors have a good
Fig 12: Investor understanding
                                                  understanding of what the information
50                                     Not sure   means and what they are required to do
                                        50%
                                                  with it?
40

30                                No
                                 31%              Grant Thornton comment:
20                                                Reports to investors must inform investors of the amount
            Yes                                   actually distributed, the excess of the amount of the
            19%
10                                                reportable income over the amount actually distributed, and
                                                  where applicable, the amount of equalisation per unit. There
                                                  is concern that non-professional investors will not fully
 0
                                                  understand the implications of the reports.
                                                      Clearly, the fact that only 19% of respondents felt that
                                                  their investors actually understood the information that they
                                                  were being provided with, suggests that managers could
                                                  potentially be doing more to educate their investors on what
                                                  the information means.
                                                      Funds who tried to address this at the outset, by
                                                  educating their professional intermediaries as to the
                                                  implication of the new rules, now feel that this has been
                                                  particularly beneficial. However, there is still an overriding
                                                  concern that there is a gap between the sophisticated and less
                                                  sophisticated investor.




                                                                                          Offshore Funds Survey 15
Practical issues - Reporting


 Fig 13: Equalisation



                                                No equalisation
                                                     31%



                         Equalisation
                                                                       “I don’t believe you should
                            19%
                                                                       be allowed to operate
                                       Full equalisation
                                             27%
                                                                       without equalisation. It
                                                                       should be mandatory”
            Income adjustments on basis of reported
                         income 4%




    Income adjustments on basis of accounting
                  income 0%



               Different funds using
              different methods 19%


0         5        10        15          20         25       30   35


Q. Are you operating equalisation, and if so,
what method?




16 Offshore Funds Survey
“Addressing the ‘last man
                                                               standing’ issue”



Fig 14: Equalisation difficulties                          Fig 15: Approach to equalisation



                            Yes
                            23%
                                                                      Yes
                                                                      22%


                                                 No
                                                46%



                                                                                                                     No
                             Not applicable                                                                         78%
                                  31%


0            10             20            30   40     50   0     10       20       30         40   50     60      70       80


Q. Are you aware of any difficulties that                  Q. Have you changed your approach to
have arisen in the operation of equalisation               equalisation since the introduction of the
or in doing the income adjustments?                        RF regime, and if so, why?

                                                           Grant Thornton comment:
                                                           The new regulations give a fund five options regarding the
                                                           operation of equalisation. The results show that there does
                                                           not appear to be one preferred method, with different funds
                                                           choosing different methods.
    “A practical / pragmatic                                  The overriding reason behind these different methods being

    solution was agreed with
                                                           adopted was the fact that some funds are operationally able
                                                           to operate equalisation while others are not currently able

    HMRC”
                                                           to do so. Our observation of responses indicates that certain
                                                           jurisdictions are more accustomed to operating equalisation
                                                           than others, and have been doing so for a number of years.
                                                              A number of funds and administrators have encountered
                                                           various issues ranging from operational difficulties to problems
                                                           with accounting under overseas GAAPs. Hedge funds also
                                                           have to deal with performance fee equalisation to add to the
                                                           complexities.
                                                              Although not necessarily reflected in the results, in
                                                           our experience the need to address the ‘last man standing’
                                                           issue has led to more income generating funds operating
                                                           equalisation under the new RF regime. In addition, improved
                                                           administration systems now allow equalisation to be operated
                                                           where it wasn’t before due to operational constraints.


                                                                                                        Offshore Funds Survey 17
Practical issues - Reporting


 Fig 16: Split between share classes                                  Fig 17: Reportable income from offshore funds

100                                                                   50
                                                                                                                      Not applicable
                                                                                                                           48%
 80                                     No                            40
                                       85%
                                                                                                        No
 60                                                                   30                               36%



 40                                                                   20
                                                                                 Yes
                                                   Not sure                      16%
 20            Yes                                  11%               10
               4%
   0                                                                   0




Q. Have your funds had any difficulties                               Q. If your funds have holdings in other
obtaining underlying information relating to                          offshore funds, have they experienced any
the split of income/expenses between share                            issues obtaining the reportable income
classes? If so, please explain how you overcame                       figures from those funds?
these difficulties.


Grant Thornton comment:                                               Grant Thornton comment:
Each share class of an offshore fund is now considered to be an       The abolishing of the investment restriction under the
offshore fund in its own right. Although most administrators are      previous regime has made it easier for funds of funds to
now able to provide a split of income and expenses across the         achieve certification as reporting funds. However, there is
different share classes there are still instances where funds are     the additional administrative complexity of determining
having difficulties obtaining the relevant information. In these      the relevant income to be recorded where funds of funds
instances, HMRC has stated that it is likely to have no issue in      are invested in a wide variety of reporting and non-
the income/expenses being allocated across the share class based      reporting funds.
on the Net Asset Value of the share classes, as long as it produces
a reasonable outcome.




18 Offshore Funds Survey
Fig 18: Series accounting



                              Yes
                              4%

“Only problem is series
accounting costs more”         No
                              15%




                                                             Not applicable
                                                                  81%


                          0          20               40    60           80          100


                          Q. Where share classes operate various
                          series, is reporting in these instances a
                          problem in practice? What problems do
                          you face in this area?


                          Grant Thornton comment:
                          A large number of funds, particularly in the hedge fund
                          industry, issue units in series. Historically, series tended
                          not to be an issue under the UKDS regime, but with the
                          increase in hedge funds in the RF regime there has been
                          concern about the potential for increased administrative
                          complexity if each series is treated as a separate fund, as is
                          strictly required.
                             HMRC has confirmed that where series are collapsed
                          into one share class at the end of a reporting period only
                          one figure of reportable income is required for that share
                          class, thereby reducing the burden on funds. In other cases,
                          however, separate calculations are currently still required.
                             The high level of not applicable responses probably
                          reflects the fact that although common for hedge funds,
                          series accounting is not so common with the total
                          population of funds.




                                                                    Offshore Funds Survey 19
Summary thoughts

                                                       Q. Do you believe that the new RF regime is
 Fig 19: Complexity of regime
                                                       more or less complicated than the old UKDS
                         Less
                                                       regime, and can you give reasons why?
                         22%




                                More
                                                       Grant Thornton comment:
                                33%                    The new regime came into effect on 1 December 2009, and as
                                                       such the industry is still getting used to the regime. Teething
                                                       problems are inevitable, but it is hoped that with time the
                                       Not sure        new regime will be a favourable improvement, removing
                                        45%            some of the restrictions imposed under the previous regime
                                                       and providing more certainty to investors.
0           10             20   30      40        50      The one clear issue that people do have is with the
                                                       operation of equalisation, and the complexities that it brings.




“The rules are simply more
complicated, especially on
equalisation”




20 Offshore Funds Survey
Fig 20: HMRC guidance                                              Fig 21: Other jurisdictions

40                                                                  80
35          Yes                 No                                  70
            37%                37%                                                                 No
30                                                                  60                            69%

25                                                Not sure          50
                                                   26%
20                                                                  40
15                                                                  30
                                                                                                               Not applicable
10                                                                  20                                              27%
                                                                                  Yes
 5                                                                  10            4%

 0                                                                   0



Q. Is the HMRC guidance detailed enough?                            Q. How do the RF rules compare to other
What other areas would you like to see                              jurisdictions where you have to report, for
covered in the guidance?                                            example Germany? Are the UK’s rules more
                                                                    complex?


Grant Thornton comment:                                             Grant Thornton comment:
The original guidance has recently been updated to                  As can be seen from the opinions expressed in Figure 21,
incorporate the amending regulations that came into place           the resounding indicative belief is that the UK’s RF regime
on 27 May 2011. Whilst the guidance is useful in a number of        is far less complex than that of Germany, as well as Italy,
areas it is still felt that more detail could be given in certain   Austria and the US. However, it was also not considered
areas, especially regarding equalisation and the adjustments        to be the most straightforward, especially under the new
required to arrive at reportable income.                            regulations.
   HMRC has acknowledged that further updating will be
required. It is early days under the new regime and practical
problems are still arising that will lead to further guidance
being published. In the interim, HMRC has indicated that it
plans to maintain a Q&A page for issues not covered in the
current guidance.




                                                                                                          Offshore Funds Survey 21
Summary thoughts


Fig 22: Standardised approach across Europe                     Fig 23: Exclude certain funds



                                               Yes                               Yes
                                               52%                               27%




                             No                                      No
                            30%                                     12%




           Not sure                                                                                  Not sure
            18%                                                                                       61%


0         10          20       30         40   50        60    0      10       20       30      40   50     60    70     80



Q. Do you believe a standardised approach                      Q. Do you believe the definition of an
to investor reporting across Europe should                     offshore fund should be amended to exclude
be pursued? If yes, do you have any                            certain funds which are required by their
thoughts on how this could be achieved?                        home regulator to distribute all income, for
                                                               example, certain US funds?


Grant Thornton comment:                                        Grant Thornton comment:
Although half the respondents believe that it is a good idea   Certain funds are required by regulation to distribute all their
to standardise reporting across Europe, most doubted that      income to investors, eliminating any risk of them rolling up
it could be practically implemented unless fiscal unity is     income offshore. For these funds, complying with the UK’s
achieved.                                                      offshore fund rules is an administrative and costly burden
                                                               that adds no real value to the fund or to HMRC.




22 Offshore Funds Survey
“The investment industry across the whole EC should
have its own reporting standard relevant to Collective
Investment Schemes”




                                                  Offshore Funds Survey 23
Grant Thornton

Dynamic organisations know they need to apply both reason                                                     Our Financial Services Tax team
and instinct to decision-making. At Grant Thornton UK LLP,                                                    This survey was conducted by the Financial Services (FS)
this is how we advise our clients every day. We combine award-                                                Tax team at Grant Thornton. Our FS Tax team comprises
winning technical expertise with the intuition, insight and                                                   dedicated specialists supported in the UK by the wider
confidence gained from our extensive sector experience and a                                                  multi-disciplinary Financial Services Group of which the
deeper understanding of our clients.                                                                          tax team is part.
   Through empowered client service teams, approachable                                                          Our advice to clients is based on experience and
partners and shorter decision-making chains, we provide                                                       knowledge of the very specific tax issues facing the
a wider point of view and operate in a way that’s as fast                                                     industry. We are members of The Association of Investment
and agile as our clients. The real benefit for dynamic                                                        Companies (AIC), the Alternative Investment Management
organisations is more meaningful and forward-looking advice                                                   Association (AIMA) and the Investment Management
that can help to unlock their potential for growth.                                                           Association (IMA). We are contributing authors to Tolley’s
   In the UK, we are led by more than 200 partners and                                                        Taxation of Collective Investment, Tolley’s Corporation Tax
employ 4,000 of the profession’s brightest minds, operating                                                   and provide thought leadership through regular publications
from 27 offices. We provide assurance, tax and specialist                                                     and presentations.
advisory services to over 40,000 privately-held businesses,                                                      Our team advise clients across the FS sector, and have a
public interest entities and individuals nationwide.                                                          particular specialism in asset management. We advise funds,
                                                                                                              their managers and principals and related businesses on all
Global strength                                                                                               aspects of UK and international tax compliance and planning.
Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations
of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. Over                                                        Should you wish to discuss any issues raised by this survey or any other tax
                                                                                                              matters please do not hesitate to contact the authors:
31,000 Grant Thornton people, across 100 countries, are
focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the
communities in which we live and work.




                                                                                                              Dana Ward                                              Anne Stopford
                                                                                                              Partner                                                Director
                                                                                                              T +44 (0)20 7728 3316                                  T +44 (0)20 7865 2285
                                                                                                              E dana.ward@uk.gt.com                                  E anne.stopford@uk.gt.com




                                                                                                              Mark Fielden                                           Tim Russell
                                                                                                              Director                                               Manager
                                                                                                              T +44 (0)20 7728 2783                                  T +44 (0)20 7865 2187
                                                                                                              E mark.r.fielden@uk.gt.com                             E tim.russell@uk.gt.com
© 2012 Grant Thornton UK LLP. All rights reserved.

‘Grant Thornton’ means Grant Thornton UK LLP, a limited liability partnership. Grant Thornton is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). References to ‘Grant Thornton’
are to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms operate and refer to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide
partnership. Services are delivered independently by member firms, which are not responsible for the services or activities of one another. Grant Thornton International does not provide services to clients. This
publication has been prepared only as a guide. No responsibility can be accepted by us for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication.

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GT - Offshore funds survey_UK

  • 1. Offshore funds survey Grant Thornton UK LLP June 2012
  • 2. Contents The research was conducted through a combination of telephone interviews and an on-line survey. Respondent anonymity has been maintained to ensure that no comments, views or dates can be attributed to an individual or organisation. This full report will be received by all those asked to participate in the survey. This will enable them to compare their own responses with those of other funds, managers and organisations. Contents 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Background 5 Summary of survey findings The Survey 6-11 Observations 12 Practical issues – Applications 13-19 Practical issues – Reporting 20-23 Summary thoughts 24 Financial Services Tax/Contacts 2 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 3. Introduction Intended audience income profits, albeit that losses remain The comments that we received This survey is designed and intended as capital losses. confirmed that these issues which our for individuals responsible for UK clients face are also concerns for the wider tax and compliance of offshore funds Implementation offshore fund industry. The remainder of marketed to UK investors. A level of As with any new and complex regime, this document details the responses to the knowledge of the existing and previous and as confirmed by the results of this questions we asked and also allows for a tax rules relating to offshore funds is survey, teething problems along the number of conclusions to be drawn. assumed, but where specific or detailed way cannot be avoided. The original RF We would like to thank all participants technical points are referred to further regulations and accompanying guidance who took part in this survey, without explanation is provided. were released after a two year long whose input this survey would not have consultation, and have subsequently been been possible. The new regime updated four times, the most significant We hope you find this survey of The new Reporting Fund (RF) regime of which was less than a year ago in May interest and would be pleased to discuss came into effect on 1 December 2009. It 2011. It seems likely that this will not be further with interested parties. replaces and is intended to simplify the the last as more funds seek to join the previous UK Distributor Status (UKDS) new regime and raise new questions on Grant Thornton UK LLP rules applicable to offshore funds. issues that have not been addressed in the Financial Services Tax Team The purpose of the new regime from existing legislation or guidance. June 2012 a tax perspective remains as before, i.e. The transitional provisions within the to prevent conversion of income into regulations allowed for distributing funds capital gains by the rolling up of income to delay entry into the new regime for offshore in a low tax environment and one further accounting period following then realising this in capital form. the accounting period containing 1 With the current differential between December 2009. Other funds, particularly the UK capital gains and income tax rates, those which in the past have had to this is one of the ways HM Revenue & operate reinvestment mechanics or which Customs (HMRC) seeks to prevent the had holdings in other offshore funds, avoidance of tax by UK taxpayers. welcomed the ability to enter into the Funds which choose to be part of regime at an earlier stage. the RF regime are required to notify With this in mind, and with the investors of income, as calculated under first annual reporting cycle now either the regulations, for an accounting period. complete or currently in progress, UK taxpaying investors must then report Grant Thornton decided to undertake and pay tax on their share of this income an industry survey and produce a regardless of actual distributions received. summary document, designed to Actual distributions are not subject to facilitate discussions of the issues faced in further tax to the extent they do not complying with the new rules. exceed reported income allocations. The questions asked in this survey Investors realising investments in cover a range of specific areas and reporting funds may treat any gains tried to focus on the issues where we arising on disposal as capital for tax know a number of our clients and the purposes. Profits made on the disposal of wider industry have had comments and non-reporting offshore funds are taxed as concerns. Offshore Funds Survey 3
  • 4. Background A total of 50 selected A wide spectrum of asset classes is It was initially estimated that the represented by the survey participants. survey conversation would take 20 offshore fund providers Some respondents represent small funds, minutes, but it was found that in a and administrators were some are very large, multi-fund managers number of cases people preferred to contacted to participate in and some are from the middle ground. complete the survey electronically. In addition, a number of offshore fund Where conversations did take place the this survey. administrators were contacted to gather discussion took nearer three quarters of their views. an hour, with the longest lasting an hour Each participant was informed of the and a half. This is clearly indicative of the objectives of the research survey and richness of the responses and the extent the survey questionnaire. The survey of the consideration given to compliance questionnaire contained 23 specific with the regime. The time commitment questions which were grouped under from all involved in this process is very four headings: much appreciated. Discussions took place with Chief • Observations Financial Officers, Chief Operating • Practical issues – Applications Officers, Product Managers and others • Practical issues – Reporting closely involved in the offshore funds • Summary thoughts regime. Respondents were forthcoming and candid in their views expressed. Selected anonymised comments are used throughout this document to emphasise a point or to support conclusions reached by Grant Thornton. 4 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 5. Summary of survey findings The original aim of the Simplification In line with expectations, 62% Perhaps unsurprisingly, only 22% of of respondents are using a website regulations was to remove respondents think that the new RF as a means of reporting to investors. impediments from the regime is simpler than the previous However, there is concern that UK tax regime for multi- UKDS regime. That said, for the information is not reaching the majority of people we have spoken to underlying investor, especially where tiered fund structures, by who have now completed their first year nominee accounts are used or where simplifying the operation of reporting, the process appears to have investors do not have access to the of the offshore funds tax run smoothly. internet. regime and providing more Income distribution Equalisation certainty to UK investors When asked whether or not having to Although only 23% of respondents and funds. Although the distribute income has influenced the have had difficulties with the operation removal of the 5% test decision to join the regime, only 41% of equalisation, most respondents of respondents felt that it had. However, highlighted equalisation as being an for investment in other of those that felt that it had not, a added complexity for which they non-qualifying offshore number acknowledged the ability now would like to see further guidance from funds goes a long way to for accumulation funds to apply for RF HMRC. Surprisingly, given the last man status as being a welcome development, standing issue, only 22% of respondents achieving this aim, it is potentially enabling some hedge fund have changed their approach to questionable whether the promoters to now market to the UK equalisation. requirements of the RF without adverse UK tax consequences for investors. regime are simpler than those of the UKDS rules. Administration costs 52% of respondents have seen administration costs increase, with the operation of equalisation and increased reporting duties being the main reason behind these increases. Reporting The majority, 70%, of respondents would like to see a pro-forma template introduced to allow a standardised form for reporting. It is believed that this would provide consistency amongst reports helping to improve investor understanding. Worryingly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, only 19% of respondents feel that investors have a good understanding of the information they are provided with. Offshore Funds Survey 5
  • 6. Observations Q. The new definition of an offshore fund Fig 1: New definition of an offshore fund has resulted in many more funds coming within the new regime. Do you have funds Yes which fell outside the old definition but 17% now come within the new definition of an offshore fund, and if so, how has this impacted your business? Not applicable 83% Grant Thornton comment: A new tax definition of an offshore fund came into effect on 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 December 2009, potentially resulting in more funds coming into the regime for the first time and therefore having to consider the impact of the regulations. Most respondents (83%) felt that this had little impact on their business. The new definition of an offshore fund provides a new characteristics driven definition of a ‘mutual fund’ (S.355 & S.356 TIOPA 2010). In the run up to the introduction of the new rules it had perhaps been anticipated that a number of funds previously excluded from the old definition of an offshore fund would be caught by the new rules. The response to the question indicates that this is not necessarily the case. As an aside (although untested by this survey) it would “We now have to prepare RF perhaps be interesting to assess how many funds and calculations for funds that managers outside of the old UKDS regime have undertaken a review to assess the applicability of the RF regime across previously did not require it” their full range of products. For those answering positively, the inclusion now of some closed ended funds has created additional work. 6 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 7. Q. The new RF regime facilitates funds not Fig 2: Income distribution having to distribute their income. Has this influenced your decision for funds to join Yes the new regime? 41% Grant Thornton comment: The new rules makes RF status more accessible to funds which No had previously been unable or unwilling to satisfy the UKDS 59% requirements. A significant number of respondents considered the introduction of the new rules as a reason to bring in funds 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 which had previously been excluded. This is supported by what is known about the wider market. Since the inception of the new regime HMRC’s data shows that there has been an approximate 60% increase in the number of reporting funds registered compared to the number of funds registered for UKDS. A number of funds have taken the opportunity to launch new share classes while the removal of the 5% test has allowed more fund of fund structures to enter the regime. In terms of respondents answering no to this question, a number cited the potential for ‘dry tax charges’ (investors being assessed to tax on a reported income figure and not having the associated distribution to pay the tax) as a reason for not bringing more products within the scope of the new “Clients are taking the rules. The point made by respondents is very valid where opportunity not to distribute investment strategy gives rise to significant income streams. However, where capital growth is the main investment as a way of entering the driver, with only minimal income arising, it seems likely that funds in this position will have chosen to accept a degree of regime, and are now administrative work in return for the perceived benefit RF status brings. This perhaps indicates one of the reasons why marketing heavily in the UK” the take up of the new regime has been so high. Offshore Funds Survey 7
  • 8. Observations Fig 3: Retrospective UK Distributor Status applications Q. Where you have funds that have now decided to join the RF regime but did not previously have UKDS, despite being classified as offshore funds, have you considered retrospective applications for UKDS to potentially help mitigate tax Yes 32% liabilities of UK investors? Not applicable 39% Grant Thornton comment: HMRC has, in the past, allowed retrospective applications for UKDS by funds which have not previously been distributing. This is often seen where funds have little or no income and the extra administration of being part of the regime going forwards No 29% was seen as an acceptable trade-off for the associated investor’s tax benefits. As many readers will be aware, without a specific election by an investor, a fund must have held UKDS or have been part of the RF regime for an investor’s entire period of ownership in order to ensure capital treatment on disposal. With the introduction of the RF regime it had been anticipated that some funds would join the regime and bring older periods into UKDS by making retrospective applications. One particular respondent to the survey confirmed that their organisation has made a number of retrospective applications for long only, non-trading hedge funds. The results support this hypothesis in that 32% of survey respondents have considered making retrospective applications. 8 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 9. Fig 4: Applications for new products 50 40 Not applicable 41% No 30 35% Yes 20 24% 10 0 Q. Has the new regime facilitated making RF applications for products which you were previously unable to obtain UKDS for, and if so, what types of products? Grant Thornton comment: The RF regime has opened up the opportunity for funds and products to enter into the regime where before they were unable to do so due to restrictions imposed under the old “We now have in excess regulations. The removal of the requirement to distribute and the of 500 share classes 5% investment restriction are welcome developments, and has led to both accumulation shares and some hedge funds registered as reporting now joining the regime. There has also been a significant increase in the number of fund of fund structures joining the funds” regime, although a number of respondents have experienced difficulties in collating the necessary information from underlying funds. Offshore Funds Survey 9
  • 10. Observations Fig 5: Marketing assistance 60 No 59% 50 40 30 Not applicable 20 24% Yes 17% 10 0 Q. To assist with marketing, have you applied for RF status for funds which strictly do not need the status, for example, transparent funds? Grant Thornton comment: Certain fund types, for example some foreign unit trusts and Fonds Commun de Placement, are tax transparent for income purposes but opaque for capital gains purposes, and are therefore within the new definition of an offshore fund. However, even if the fund chooses to be a non-reporting fund, it is possible for it to still be excluded from potential offshore income gains treatment provided they meet certain conditions. As such, there may be no advantage to these funds being in the regime, although some providers have nevertheless sought to apply for RF status in respect of these funds. “We have applied for good non-reporting status for a Comments from some respondents indicate that the marketability of new products is improved if membership of number of funds” the RF regime can be shown even if it is perhaps not needed. This could well be driven by less sophisticated investors or those with strict investment due diligence checklists. 10 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 11. Fig 6: Administration costs Q. Have you seen administration costs 60 increase as a result of complying with the new regime? 50 Yes 52% 40 No Grant Thornton comment: 38% 30 Owing to the increased requirements to provide information to both HMRC and investors it was anticipated that 20 administrative costs would increase under the new regime. Comments from respondents indicate that the RF regime 10 Not applicable is seen as significantly more complex than UKDS. Specific 10% 0 areas mentioned which have added complexity and therefore costs are effective yield calculations, collation of information for fund of funds and equalisation. In addition the number of non-UKDS funds which have now joined the RF regime will have increased overall costs for larger managers and administrators with wide portfolios of products. Offshore Funds Survey 11
  • 12. Practical issues - Applications Fig 7: Application rejected Fig 8: Further information Yes Yes 14% 0% Not applicable No 100% 86% 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 Q. If you have had an initial RF application Q. Have you been asked by HMRC for rejected, what were the stated reasons and further information for either the initial the ultimate outcome? application or the subsequent reports, and if so, what further information was required? Grant Thornton comment: Managers of offshore funds are now able to obtain forward looking certification of a fund as a reporting fund which will continue to apply until the fund chooses to leave or is removed from the regime. “More information required Respondents commented that HMRC has requested further information to asses initial applications in limited on derivatives and series circumstances, these being where derivatives were being used share classes” and series of share classes being operated. However, in our sample no legitimate applications had actually been refused by HMRC. 12 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 13. Practical issues - Reporting Fig 9: Reportable income calculations and reports Fig 10: Pro-forma template Yes 70% Yes 81% No 22% No 19% Not sure 8% 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Q. Have reportable income calculations and Q. Would you like to see a pro-forma reports for investors now been prepared for template to allow a standardised form for your funds? reporting? Grant Thornton comment: Grant Thornton comment: The new rules came into effect on 1 December 2009, meaning The issue of a standardised form of reporting has been that the majority of funds have now prepared, or are in the raised with HMRC, who has stated that it has no objection process of preparing their first reportable income calculations. in principle. However, HMRC is also wary of being too However, there are still some funds that were already prescriptive and suggest that an industry-led tool solution certified under the UKDS regime which have elected to would seem appropriate. use the transitional provisions to continue to be certified as Respondents to the survey were very much in favour of distributing funds for as long as possible. The reason cited for standardised reporting, however the complexity and variety delaying entry into the new regime is the perception that the of offshore funds would require an extremely sophisticated UKDS regime is simpler. The requirement to report 100% of ‘one size fits all’ type reporting programme. Respondents income rather than 85% has also been a factor. acknowledged this, and a number stated that although they liked the idea in principle, they could see how in practice this would not be easy to implement. “Difficult to implement with different options for equalisation” Offshore Funds Survey 13
  • 14. Practical issues - Reporting Fig 11: Format of report Q. In what format are you making your report to investors available? Other Grant Thornton comment: 7% Reporting funds are required to make a report available Individual email to investor to each investor who is resident in the UK (or which is a 12% reporting fund) within six months of the end of the reporting period. Clearly, the majority of respondents favour the Individual letter dissemination of information via the internet given to investor 19% the saving in cost and administration this represents. Website 62% Smaller organisations may tend to use a variety of other communication methods suited to the needs of their investors. Whilst the internet was clearly the method of choice for the majority of those we spoke to, a number of respondents expressed concern as to whether the relevant information was ending up in the hands of the underlying investor, especially where nominee accounts were being operated. Although HMRC is sympathetic to the industry’s concerns, it has expressed the view that to the extent that the fund is aware that the method of delivery does not achieve the required outcome, then it is the fund’s responsibility to consider whether the information should be supplied in a different format. “My concern is what happens to those without internet access” 14 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 15. Q. Do you feel that investors have a good Fig 12: Investor understanding understanding of what the information 50 Not sure means and what they are required to do 50% with it? 40 30 No 31% Grant Thornton comment: 20 Reports to investors must inform investors of the amount Yes actually distributed, the excess of the amount of the 19% 10 reportable income over the amount actually distributed, and where applicable, the amount of equalisation per unit. There is concern that non-professional investors will not fully 0 understand the implications of the reports. Clearly, the fact that only 19% of respondents felt that their investors actually understood the information that they were being provided with, suggests that managers could potentially be doing more to educate their investors on what the information means. Funds who tried to address this at the outset, by educating their professional intermediaries as to the implication of the new rules, now feel that this has been particularly beneficial. However, there is still an overriding concern that there is a gap between the sophisticated and less sophisticated investor. Offshore Funds Survey 15
  • 16. Practical issues - Reporting Fig 13: Equalisation No equalisation 31% Equalisation “I don’t believe you should 19% be allowed to operate Full equalisation 27% without equalisation. It should be mandatory” Income adjustments on basis of reported income 4% Income adjustments on basis of accounting income 0% Different funds using different methods 19% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Q. Are you operating equalisation, and if so, what method? 16 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 17. “Addressing the ‘last man standing’ issue” Fig 14: Equalisation difficulties Fig 15: Approach to equalisation Yes 23% Yes 22% No 46% No Not applicable 78% 31% 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Q. Are you aware of any difficulties that Q. Have you changed your approach to have arisen in the operation of equalisation equalisation since the introduction of the or in doing the income adjustments? RF regime, and if so, why? Grant Thornton comment: The new regulations give a fund five options regarding the operation of equalisation. The results show that there does not appear to be one preferred method, with different funds choosing different methods. “A practical / pragmatic The overriding reason behind these different methods being solution was agreed with adopted was the fact that some funds are operationally able to operate equalisation while others are not currently able HMRC” to do so. Our observation of responses indicates that certain jurisdictions are more accustomed to operating equalisation than others, and have been doing so for a number of years. A number of funds and administrators have encountered various issues ranging from operational difficulties to problems with accounting under overseas GAAPs. Hedge funds also have to deal with performance fee equalisation to add to the complexities. Although not necessarily reflected in the results, in our experience the need to address the ‘last man standing’ issue has led to more income generating funds operating equalisation under the new RF regime. In addition, improved administration systems now allow equalisation to be operated where it wasn’t before due to operational constraints. Offshore Funds Survey 17
  • 18. Practical issues - Reporting Fig 16: Split between share classes Fig 17: Reportable income from offshore funds 100 50 Not applicable 48% 80 No 40 85% No 60 30 36% 40 20 Yes Not sure 16% 20 Yes 11% 10 4% 0 0 Q. Have your funds had any difficulties Q. If your funds have holdings in other obtaining underlying information relating to offshore funds, have they experienced any the split of income/expenses between share issues obtaining the reportable income classes? If so, please explain how you overcame figures from those funds? these difficulties. Grant Thornton comment: Grant Thornton comment: Each share class of an offshore fund is now considered to be an The abolishing of the investment restriction under the offshore fund in its own right. Although most administrators are previous regime has made it easier for funds of funds to now able to provide a split of income and expenses across the achieve certification as reporting funds. However, there is different share classes there are still instances where funds are the additional administrative complexity of determining having difficulties obtaining the relevant information. In these the relevant income to be recorded where funds of funds instances, HMRC has stated that it is likely to have no issue in are invested in a wide variety of reporting and non- the income/expenses being allocated across the share class based reporting funds. on the Net Asset Value of the share classes, as long as it produces a reasonable outcome. 18 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 19. Fig 18: Series accounting Yes 4% “Only problem is series accounting costs more” No 15% Not applicable 81% 0 20 40 60 80 100 Q. Where share classes operate various series, is reporting in these instances a problem in practice? What problems do you face in this area? Grant Thornton comment: A large number of funds, particularly in the hedge fund industry, issue units in series. Historically, series tended not to be an issue under the UKDS regime, but with the increase in hedge funds in the RF regime there has been concern about the potential for increased administrative complexity if each series is treated as a separate fund, as is strictly required. HMRC has confirmed that where series are collapsed into one share class at the end of a reporting period only one figure of reportable income is required for that share class, thereby reducing the burden on funds. In other cases, however, separate calculations are currently still required. The high level of not applicable responses probably reflects the fact that although common for hedge funds, series accounting is not so common with the total population of funds. Offshore Funds Survey 19
  • 20. Summary thoughts Q. Do you believe that the new RF regime is Fig 19: Complexity of regime more or less complicated than the old UKDS Less regime, and can you give reasons why? 22% More Grant Thornton comment: 33% The new regime came into effect on 1 December 2009, and as such the industry is still getting used to the regime. Teething problems are inevitable, but it is hoped that with time the Not sure new regime will be a favourable improvement, removing 45% some of the restrictions imposed under the previous regime and providing more certainty to investors. 0 10 20 30 40 50 The one clear issue that people do have is with the operation of equalisation, and the complexities that it brings. “The rules are simply more complicated, especially on equalisation” 20 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 21. Fig 20: HMRC guidance Fig 21: Other jurisdictions 40 80 35 Yes No 70 37% 37% No 30 60 69% 25 Not sure 50 26% 20 40 15 30 Not applicable 10 20 27% Yes 5 10 4% 0 0 Q. Is the HMRC guidance detailed enough? Q. How do the RF rules compare to other What other areas would you like to see jurisdictions where you have to report, for covered in the guidance? example Germany? Are the UK’s rules more complex? Grant Thornton comment: Grant Thornton comment: The original guidance has recently been updated to As can be seen from the opinions expressed in Figure 21, incorporate the amending regulations that came into place the resounding indicative belief is that the UK’s RF regime on 27 May 2011. Whilst the guidance is useful in a number of is far less complex than that of Germany, as well as Italy, areas it is still felt that more detail could be given in certain Austria and the US. However, it was also not considered areas, especially regarding equalisation and the adjustments to be the most straightforward, especially under the new required to arrive at reportable income. regulations. HMRC has acknowledged that further updating will be required. It is early days under the new regime and practical problems are still arising that will lead to further guidance being published. In the interim, HMRC has indicated that it plans to maintain a Q&A page for issues not covered in the current guidance. Offshore Funds Survey 21
  • 22. Summary thoughts Fig 22: Standardised approach across Europe Fig 23: Exclude certain funds Yes Yes 52% 27% No No 30% 12% Not sure Not sure 18% 61% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Q. Do you believe a standardised approach Q. Do you believe the definition of an to investor reporting across Europe should offshore fund should be amended to exclude be pursued? If yes, do you have any certain funds which are required by their thoughts on how this could be achieved? home regulator to distribute all income, for example, certain US funds? Grant Thornton comment: Grant Thornton comment: Although half the respondents believe that it is a good idea Certain funds are required by regulation to distribute all their to standardise reporting across Europe, most doubted that income to investors, eliminating any risk of them rolling up it could be practically implemented unless fiscal unity is income offshore. For these funds, complying with the UK’s achieved. offshore fund rules is an administrative and costly burden that adds no real value to the fund or to HMRC. 22 Offshore Funds Survey
  • 23. “The investment industry across the whole EC should have its own reporting standard relevant to Collective Investment Schemes” Offshore Funds Survey 23
  • 24. Grant Thornton Dynamic organisations know they need to apply both reason Our Financial Services Tax team and instinct to decision-making. At Grant Thornton UK LLP, This survey was conducted by the Financial Services (FS) this is how we advise our clients every day. We combine award- Tax team at Grant Thornton. Our FS Tax team comprises winning technical expertise with the intuition, insight and dedicated specialists supported in the UK by the wider confidence gained from our extensive sector experience and a multi-disciplinary Financial Services Group of which the deeper understanding of our clients. tax team is part. Through empowered client service teams, approachable Our advice to clients is based on experience and partners and shorter decision-making chains, we provide knowledge of the very specific tax issues facing the a wider point of view and operate in a way that’s as fast industry. We are members of The Association of Investment and agile as our clients. The real benefit for dynamic Companies (AIC), the Alternative Investment Management organisations is more meaningful and forward-looking advice Association (AIMA) and the Investment Management that can help to unlock their potential for growth. Association (IMA). We are contributing authors to Tolley’s In the UK, we are led by more than 200 partners and Taxation of Collective Investment, Tolley’s Corporation Tax employ 4,000 of the profession’s brightest minds, operating and provide thought leadership through regular publications from 27 offices. We provide assurance, tax and specialist and presentations. advisory services to over 40,000 privately-held businesses, Our team advise clients across the FS sector, and have a public interest entities and individuals nationwide. particular specialism in asset management. We advise funds, their managers and principals and related businesses on all Global strength aspects of UK and international tax compliance and planning. Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. Over Should you wish to discuss any issues raised by this survey or any other tax matters please do not hesitate to contact the authors: 31,000 Grant Thornton people, across 100 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work. Dana Ward Anne Stopford Partner Director T +44 (0)20 7728 3316 T +44 (0)20 7865 2285 E dana.ward@uk.gt.com E anne.stopford@uk.gt.com Mark Fielden Tim Russell Director Manager T +44 (0)20 7728 2783 T +44 (0)20 7865 2187 E mark.r.fielden@uk.gt.com E tim.russell@uk.gt.com © 2012 Grant Thornton UK LLP. All rights reserved. ‘Grant Thornton’ means Grant Thornton UK LLP, a limited liability partnership. Grant Thornton is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). References to ‘Grant Thornton’ are to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms operate and refer to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered independently by member firms, which are not responsible for the services or activities of one another. Grant Thornton International does not provide services to clients. This publication has been prepared only as a guide. No responsibility can be accepted by us for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. grant-thornton.co.uk