By Lee Squires, Director, Indirect Tax at Grant Thornton
Following another tumultuous week of developments in Brexit, the final outcome remains uncertain.
Last week, Boris Johnson agreed a new Brexit deal with the EU in the form of a revised Withdrawal Agreement, with a replacement Protocol on Northern Ireland. On Saturday, the House of Commons did not approve his revised deal, but instead voted to defer any approval until all the necessary legislation to deliver the deal is in place.
Later on Saturday, Boris Johnson sent two letters to the European Council. The first unsigned letter, required by the so-called Benn Act, formally asked the EU for a delay to the UK’s exit from the EU.
The second signed letter said that the UK government did not really want an extension. This week, we expect the detailed legislation to implement the new Brexit deal to be brought before Parliament.
So, what does this all mean for businesses in Northern Ireland?
Three options remain: leaving with no-deal, leaving with a deal, or an extension and delay. There is a chance that all the legislation needed to implement Brexit could be approved by Parliament in time to leave on 31 October, although the deal must also be ratified by the European Parliament.
The EU might agree to an extension, although Boris Johnson is likely to do everything he can to frustrate this. A no-deal Brexit on 31 October seems the least likely option but remains a real risk.
If the Withdrawal Agreement is passed, the UK would enter a transitional or ‘implementation’ period until at least 31 December 2020.
During this time, the UK would be treated as an EU member state for most purposes and would be required to implement all EU laws, meaning very little would change.
The situation from January 2021 onwards would be determined by the future trading relationship negotiated between the UK and the EU during this transition period. The latest UK/EU Political Declaration suggests that the UK is now seeking a free trade agreement without the close alignment with EU rules envisaged by Theresa May’s deal.
Under the revised Northern Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland would have a unique status, described as part of the UK customs territory but still applying EU customs rules.
In practice, this would mean that goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland would be subject to customs processes and payment of EU customs duties unless, under rules yet to be agreed, it could be shown that the goods are not at risk of crossing the border into the EU.
However, the Northern Irish importer could seek a rebate of any duties if it could show the goods remained in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland would also follow most of the rules of the EU’s single market in goods and the EU’s VAT rules. These measures should ensure that there is no need for a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but at the cost of having a customs border of sorts between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Finally, the Northern Ireland Assembly would be able to vote to discontinue these arrangements, by a simple majority vote, once every four years.
For now, we recommend businesses should maintain their no-deal contingency plans for 31 October, while keeping track of developments this week.
For further information or advice, Lee Squires can be contacted at Lee.Squires@ie.gt.com
Grant Thornton (NI) LLP specialises in audit, tax and advisory services and was ranked by Experian as the Number 1 deal adviser in Northern Ireland in 2018