Gift Aid: which donations can charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) claim relief on?

New HMRC publication outlines the types of payment that Gift Aid can and cannot be claimed on.

Tax inquiry closure: HMRC consultation

HMRC consultation Tax enquiries: closure rules proposes a change from the current joint taxpayer/HMRC referral to first tier tribunal by allowing HMRC a right of sole referral.

Contractors loan settlement opportunity

The opportunity to disclose loan settlements has been extended to 30 June with HMRC stating that any settlement “should be agreed by 30 September 2015 at the latest.

Draft Finance Bill 2015 published

The government has published the draft 2015 Finance Bill.

HMRC agent updates

HMRC issues regular updates for accountants, or tax agents. The latest (number 42, published in July 2014) and previous issues are available here.

State pensions

Changes are coming on state pensions.

National Insurance contributions and under 21 year-olds

From the 6 April 2015, for certain employees under the age of 21, an employer will no longer need to pay employer Class 1 secondary NICs for them.

Scottish Taxpayers

As previously highlighted, when the Scottish Rate of Income Tax is introduced in 2016 the focus will be on where that individual resides.

Revenue Scotland

The Revenue Scotland website is up and running with its initial focus on the administration of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT).

VAT update - December 2014

Details of recent VAT changes.

Autumn statement highlights

A collection of snippets from the Autumn Statement.

HMRC Let property campaign - The first 12 months

HMRC issues report on "first 12 months" of let property campaign.

Limit on income tax relief takes effect

New legislation limited to amount of income tax relief available from tax year 2013-14 onwards.

Legal fees and Court costs

We go 'back to basics' as we examine what can be allowed in terms of legal costs.

Share matching rules

This worked example looks at the share identification rules that should be followed when there is a disposal of shares in a company, for capital gains tax purposes.

Business-to-consumer supplies - E-services

The EU place of supply VAT rules will change from 1 January 2015.

Collecting overdue tax through tax codes

From April 2015 HMRC is increasing the amount of overdue tax it can recover through a taxpayer's Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax code.

HMRC direct debt recovery - Additional safeguards announced

Following consultation, HMRC announces additional safeguards as part of the controversial direct debt recovery proposals.

Hong Kong programme for Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement

Hong Kong’s programme for Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) and Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) Consultation issued by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong

Tackling offshore tax evasion: strengthening civil deterrents

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue & Customs.

Tackling offshore tax evasion: a new criminal offence

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue & Customs.

IR35: HMRC withdraws business entity tests

HMRC is to withdraw the IR35 Business Entity Tests after the IR35 forum concludes that they are little used and not fulfilling their intended purpose.

ECJ ruling and the treatment of VAT

Could the VAT treatment of financial services be significantly widened?

Changes to Discretionary Trusts

The Finance Act 2014, Schedule 25 contains four separate provisions relating to inheritance tax on discretionary trusts, effective from 6 April 2014.

Offshore tax evasion

The government continues its crackdown on those seeking to illegally evade their UK tax liability by using offshore tax shelters.

Office of Tax Simplification report on the competitiveness of the UK’s tax administration

The OTS has published the final report on its review of the competitiveness of UK tax administration, making 50 recommendations for improvements.

Strengthening the tax avoidance disclosure regimes

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue & Customs.

The changing landscape around tax avoidance

How accountants can guard against claims from clients surrounding tax avoidance issues. [Simon Mason - Partner in DWF Fishburns]

HMRC Agent Online Self Service Strategy Update

Throughout the summer the Agent Online Self Serve (AOSS) project team has been conducting interviews with agents to inform the initial design and development of an alpha prototype. Here’s an update on this work and our progress with the developing Agents Strategy.

Inheritance Tax: a new Act

The Inheritance Tax and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014 came into force on 1 October 2014.

Pension Schemes, Relaxing of the Rules

Pension “death tax” to be abolished.

VAT Notices - September 2014

A summary of the VAT Notices in force as at September 2014.

Employee benefits trusts - settlement opportunity

HMRC has announced that the settlement opportunity will close for applications on 31 March 2015, with settlements to be finalised and payments made by 31 July 2015.

Tax return reminder - travel costs

A reminder of the effects of the Samadian case on travelling costs.

Tax return reminder - Fees and Subscriptions

What fees and subscriptions are allowable for an employee for tax purposes?

VAT Update - November 2014

A round-up of the latest changes to VAT notices and briefings.

Autumn Statement

The Autumn Statement will take place on Wednesday 3 December 2014.

VAT changes around the EU

The latest changes to VAT rates from countries within the European Union.

HMRC withdraws concession on remittance basis

In August changes took effect around how money brought into the UK or used in the UK under a loan facility secured by foreign income or gains is treated.

Offshore loan schemes

Offshore loan schemes used by contractors are under attack by HMRC, following the successful outcome for HMRC in the case of Philip Boyle v HMRC at the First-Tier Tribunal.

Jointly owned property and form 17

Guidance on how and when to use form 17 with regards to jointly owned property.

Transfer of a going concern

HMRC has had a change of policy following the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) decision in Robinson Family Ltd [2012] UKFTT 360 (TC). The changes are three-fold and are discussed here policy change by policy change.

Construction Industry Scheme consultation

A Summer consultation is on the way which will consider ways to improve the CIS scheme.

Enhanced capital allowances increases: green technology

New legislation will extend the list of energy-saving and environmentally beneficial technologies and products that benefit from enhanced capital allowances.

Business premises renovations allowance

The Finance Act 2014 will clarify the scope of Business Premises Renovation Allowance.

Annual investment allowance increased to £500,000

Temporary increase sees AIA double to £500,000.

Tax Evasion and Avoidance

Three new consultations have been launched on the subject of tax evasion.

Transfer pricing documentation

Comments from ACCA to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

2014 Autumn Statement

The Autumn Statement will take place on Wednesday 3 December 2014.

Intermediaries and workers

Updates have been issued on when an intermediary must treat a worker they provide to a UK-based client as an employee for Income Tax and National Insurance purposes.