Sytner Group - Our approach to tax

As the UK’s largest car dealership group, we seek to engage with all of our stakeholders, including our customers, our employees and our manufacturer partners, in a fair, respectful and honourable manner. This extends to our approach to tax compliance and our dealings with HMRC. This document sets out Sytner’s UK tax policy and is intended to comply with paragraph 19 of part 19 of the Finance Act 2016. The comments set out below apply to all of the companies within our group that are subject to UK tax.

Governance

The Board of Directors of Sytner bears ultimate responsibility for Sytner’s tax strategy and compliance. The execution of the tax strategy and compliance is delegated by the Board to the group’s Chief Financial Officer and the group’s in-house tax department. The tax department is staffed with qualified, experienced personnel knowledgeable of taxation matters. ​

Risk Management

The Sytner Group has developed and adheres to its own tax control framework which is updated and shared with HMRC on an annual basis.

The personnel within the tax department constantly monitor changes in tax laws and adjust tax strategy and controls accordingly. The tax personnel obtain training on tax laws and new tax legislation. Where matters require additional specialised knowledge, specialists from legal and accountancy firms are engaged to evaluate risks.

Attitude to tax planning and level of risk

We manage our tax compliance to ensure that we fulfil all legal requirements and pay the right amount of tax. We are committed to complying fully with all relevant tax laws, rules and regulations that apply as well as fulfilling all reporting and disclosure requirements on an accurate and timely basis. We adopt a low risk attitude towards tax planning and are classified as low risk by HMRC.

We do not engage in tax evasion, artificial or high risk transactions. We do however seek to apply available tax incentives, reliefs and exemptions in the manner intended but will not use them for the purposes which are knowingly contradictory to the intent of the legislation.

The level of risk the group accepts in relation to tax is consistent with its overall objective of achieving certainty in relation to the group’s tax affairs.

Relationship with HMRC

We have an open, transparent and co-operative relationship with HMRC. We maintain regular dialogue with our HMRC client relationship manager, keeping HMRC informed of all significant transactions and key developments on an on-going basis.

Where we have concerns about the correct interpretation of UK tax rules we consult with HMRC. Wherever possible we work collaboratively to seek to resolve any disputes that arise.