The UK Government has recently published its Policy Paper relating to the Economic Crime Levy (ECL).
Following the introduction of The Economic Crime (Anti-Money Laundering) Levy Regulations in 2022, the levy is designed to fund the fight against financial and economic crime. It will affect entities who are supervised under the Money Laundering Regulations and whose UK revenue exceeds £10.2 million per annum.
Firms should be aware that:
Supervised firms will be required to pay fixed annual fees, depending on their size and revenue;
Where an entity is part of a group of companies, the levy will apply to any group entity member who meets the requirements;
The first levy payments will be due by 30 September 2023;
Levies will be collected by HMRC, The FCA, and The Gambling Commission.
Relevant firms should ensure that they are fully aware of the registration process and payment requirements applicable to them, and are able to comply with their obligations.