BJA Crooen B.V., located in the Netherlands, is the ultimate Parent of the Axel Johnson Group. The Axel Johnson group is headed by Axel Johnson AB, located in Stockholm, Sweden. Axel Johnson has a decentralized organisation structure, where resources and operational responsibilities are found in the respective sub-groups and its subsidiaries. The companies that are part of the Axel Johnson Group are responsible for their own profit, capital and employees and therefore also for their taxes. The group’s business in the UK are within the sub-group Axel Johnson International. Axel Johnson International is a technology trading Group consisting of more than 90 companies in 25 countries.
The Axel Johnson group is committed to be a responsible taxpayer in the UK and other jurisdictions where the Group operates based on a cautious management of its tax positions, professionally executed tax compliance and legitimate tax policy driven by valid business purposes.
Scope of our strategy
Our UK tax strategy (the ‘Strategy’) applies to Meller Holdings Ltd, AxFlow Ltd, Thames Valley Pumps Limited, Certex Lifting Ltd and Acorn Industrial Services Group including Acorn Industrial Services Ltd, Bearing Station Ltd, Gerald Summers Ltd, Berkshire Bearings & Transmissions Ltd and Town & County Ltd. This Strategy applies to all taxes relevant to the UK Business and takes effect from the date of publication until superseded or otherwise replaced. This Strategy is published in accordance with paragraph 19(4) of Schedule 19 of the 2016 Finance Act.
Our strategy
Our strategy is to manage the tax position of the UK Business in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, under an appropriate risk control framework, while maintaining the UK Business’s reputation and good relationships with the UK tax authorities, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”).
Roles & responsibilities
Ultimate responsibility for the implementation and oversight of the UK Business’s strategy rests with the Board of directors of each company.
The companies’ Finance Departments are responsible for the day to day management of the UK Business’s UK corporation tax, the local transfer pricing files and the VAT affairs.
The companies’ HR functions are responsible for the UK Business’s obligations in relation to employee taxes and social security contributions.
The Axel Johnson group financial reporting team are responsible for the transfer pricing Masterfile and the country by country reporting.
The companies’ finance and HR functions are staffed with appropriately qualified personnel, with oversight from external specialist advisors including advice in relation to new areas of law or areas over which there is doubt or ambiguity to ensure the UK Business remains compliant and manages all of its UK tax obligations.
The prime responsibilities of the Finance Department are to support the wider Axel Johnson group business strategy; to manage the tax affairs of the UK Business; and to ensure the proper collection of taxes which are within the scope of our activities.
Taxes have the potential to impact on the vast majority of the UK’s business lines and legal entities. As such, the Finance Departments work with external advisors where appropriate, seek to identify potential tax risks that may reside within the wider business. In addition, it is also the duty of the business lines to consult with the Finance Department prior to taking any decision which may have an impact on the tax position or obligations of the UK Business as well as to support the implementation of UK Business’s tax policies.
Risk management framework
To ensure the success of the Strategy, the companies has put in place an organisational framework, as well as the fundamental principles, for managing tax risks and lays down a structure that enables risks to be managed. Tax risks management is a key process by which the organisation can be protected from unacceptable outcomes as it works to deliver its business objectives.
Tax governance
The Strategy is brought to bear and embedded within the UK Business through a set of policies and procedures covering the key areas of taxation relevant to the UK Business’s activities. These describe the policies, rules and operational aspects of the covered taxes. Examples of key areas covered include Corporation Tax, VAT, and Transfer Pricing (amongst others).
Tax policies are set, and tax risk is managed, by the finance department in each company, which is chaired by the company’s board of directors and the Group financial reporting team. Key aspects of the tax policy are coordinated with the Chief Financial Officer of Axel Johnson International AB, the Chief Financial Officer of Axel Johnson AB and the Chief Executive Officers of the various business lines. Policies are kept under regular review and will be revised in the event of factors such as material changes within the Group or in tax legislation.
Risk appetite and level of risk
The UK Business maintains a conservative viewpoint towards tax risk and has no tolerance towards transactions that lack commercial substance. The UK Business, as a general principle, will only consider entering into transactions that have a credible economic benefit, driven by the business needs. This, along with the procedures and controls implemented by the Finance Department the Group financial reporting team, ensures tax risk is maintained at an acceptably low level.
This approach echoes that of the wider Axel Johnson Group, where a culture of prudence and careful management pervades. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the UK Business nor the wider Axel Johnson Group support or condone tax evasion, either on their own account or in respect to their employees, customers or counterparties.
Relationships with tax authorities
We seek to have an open, transparent and cooperative relationship with HMRC. This includes:
- engaging in open and constructive dialogue with HMRC;
- making full disclosures where required;
- meeting statutory deadlines; and
- remaining available to deal with queries from HMRC as and when required.
Key principles underlying our policy
Our tax policy and practice are based on the following principles:
Support Overall Business Strategy, Goals and Developments
Help the business lines to manage tax matters, to ensure their compliance with applicable rules and prepare them for upcoming changes. For that, the objectives of the Finance Department and the Group financial reporting team shall be aligned to support business goals and strategies.
Ensuring Compliance
Implement, monitor and control systems that ensure that all financial related taxes are levied properly and transferred on a timely basis to the tax authorities. To fulfil this goal, the Finance Department and the Group Financial Reporting team work closely with the operational departments of the UK Business.
Management of Tax Risks
Make sure that there are no unexpected tax issues that could have a material financial impact or reputational cost to the UK Business. To achieve this, the Finance Department and the Group Financial reporting team work closely with the auditors of the companies and there is a reporting system to assess and account for tax risks.
Transparent Dialogue with Tax Authorities
Maintain sound relationships with HMRC and other national tax authorities, based on mutual respect. Comply with fiscal reporting requirements and respond to inquiries from fiscal authorities in a complete and timely manner.
Partnering with other Group Functions
Establish and maintain strong relationships with other relevant functions (including Finance, Legal, Compliance, HR and External Audit) with the emphasis on timely and pragmatic tax advice.