Off-payroll working in the public sector: reform of the intermediaries legislation

We consider that the introduction the proposed changes to IR35 will reduce the attractiveness of public sector contracts to all but the largest of service providers. We would strongly urge the Government to reconsider the proposed changes

Making tax digital: September 2016 update

Following several months of anticipation, HMRC has produced a suite of six consultations on Making Tax Digital

HM Treasury consultation on delivery of reforms to corporation tax loss relief

HM Treasury consultation on delivery of reforms to corporation tax loss relief

HM Gov consultation on tax deductibility of corporate interest expense

ACCA fully recognises the Government's desire to demonstrate the UK's leadership in implementing the G20 and OECD recommendations.

Technical factsheet: pension scheme lifetime allowance protection

Lifetime allowance applies to all pension receipts, whether from a defined contribution or defined benefit scheme, and also where life insurance is paid from a registered scheme

HM Gov consultation - Business rates: delivering more frequent revaluations

ACCA urges the Government to reconsider whether delivering more frequent revaluations would be of benefit in the current economic climate.

Tax avoidance

HMRC provides tools to help you spot signs of tax avoidance

Hong Kong's programme for Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) and Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA)

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.

Alignment of taxes

The Office of Tax Simplification has set out seven steps for aligning income tax and national insurance contributions

Employment allowance

The new regulations increase the employment allowance

State pension

The government is providing advice on the new state pension rules

Budget guide

DON'T MISS OUT ON the Budget update

Finance Bill 2016: Company Distributions Consultation (Comments from ACCA to HMRC)

ACCA is concerned that changes proposed under Finance Bill 2016 could have undesirable consequences on entrepreneurial companies

Higher stamp duty land tax - consultation

Details on the consultation and how you can get involved

Pension drawdown

A look at how pension drawdown is taxed

Reasonable excuse - tax returns

You can remove tax return-related penalties if there is a reasonable excuse for not sending the return in on time

Making tax digital

The government's plans continue to cause concern

Farmers' averaging profits

A look at the rules relating to the averaging profits of farmers

Consultations and discussion documents

A number of consultations and discussion documents have been issued

State pension top up

State pension top up is now available

Penalties –  what HMRC is saying

Read HMRC's statement on the issue of penalties

Transfer Pricing. A consultation issued by the Inland Revenue Department Hong Kong

Transfer Pricing. A consultation issued by the Inland Revenue Department Hong Kong

Foundations for a sound tax system: simplicity, certainty and stability

Simplicity, certainty and stability: in ACCA’s view these are the three cornerstones of a good tax system.

Our guide to 2015 Budgets

A guide to the Chancellor's March and July 2015 Budgets

Peer-to-peer bad debt relief

Lenders can set loss against income received on other P2P loans

Subscriptions and flat-rate deductions

The list of allowable fees and subscriptions, including journals for professional organisations has been updated

Employment allowance

HMRC has clarified its position on avoidance schemes that exploit the Employment Allowance

Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters in Hong Kong

Response by ACCA to Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters (AEOI) in Hong Kong. Consultation issued by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong.

Social investment tax relief

The social investment tax relief factsheet has been updated

Technical factsheet 157: Employee shareholders

This scheme was introduced on 1 September 2013 by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. The idea behind it was to create a new class of employee who would have a stake in the company, but not enjoy the same employment rights as normal employees.

Expenses and benefits

A number of changes came into force on 6 April

Prompt payment discount invoice changes

There have been amendments to the Prompt Payment Discount legislation from 1 April 2015.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the country and the guidance has once again been updated.

VAT update

Revenue and Customs Brief 2 (2015): VAT grouping rules and the Skandia judgment explains HMRC’s current position following the decision of the European Court of Justice judgment.

HMRC sets out payroll penalties approach

Employers that have received an in-year late filing penalty for the period 6 October 2014 to 5 January 2015 and were three days late or less should appeal online.

VAT Update - March 2015

Updates on VAT MOSS and businesses which are alcohol wholesalers.

New guidance for trustees of charities

The Charity Commission has issued guidance for trustees considering tax arrangements.

Tax penalty regime, mitigation, suspension and current developments

HMRC is examining its tax penalty regime. Learn how and have your say.

Finance Bill 2015

A summary of the key provisions included in the Finance Bill 2015 and measures that have an immediate effect.

Revenue and Customs Brief 42 (2014): integration of claims in insolvencies

This brief aims to alert the insolvency profession to upcoming changes in how HMRC deals with the tax affairs of insolvent taxpayers.

Consultation: penalties

HMRC has issued HMRC Penalties: a Discussion Document which is open for comment until 11 May.

Double taxation

This page brings together information on double tax treaties in force, along with details of recent changes.

Charity tax

The Charity Commission has issued guidance for trustees considering tax arrangements.

Self Assessment Hints and Tips

This article pulls together various items from the Technical Advisory website which may prove useful in the run-up to the self assessment filing deadline.

What is FATCA?

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) is an American provision enacted in March 2010 and aimed at foreign financial institutions. It is part of a larger piece of legislation: Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, designed to ensure that American citizens are fully disclosing their worldwide income to the US Internal Revenue Service.

Clamping down on tax avoidance

The Finance Act 2014 contains a number of measures to minimise tax avoidance.

Tax return white space

The tax return white space is the innocuous looking ‘any other information’ space at box 19 of the main SA100 tax return. It is more important than it looks, as the case of Charlton and Others v HMRC illustrates.

High income child benefit charge

The high income child benefit tax charge is a unique tax, in that it seeks to claw back a state benefit, namely child benefit through the self-assessment tax system.

VAT: businesses supplying digital services to private consumers

New guidance covering the recent changes to the place of supply of digital services from 1 January 2015 is available from the GOV.UK website. The services covered by the changes are digital services otherwise known as broadcasting, telecommunications and electronic services (BTE).

Accrued income scheme

Understanding the accrued income scheme.

VAT: educational exemption for catering

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have issued Revenue & Customs Brief 39/2014: VAT exemption for catering and other services linked to education.

Changes to rollover relief on incorporation from 3 December 2014

Until recently, it has been common for an individual incorporating his business to revalue the goodwill and hold over the relief. Finance Bill 2015 sets out to alter this.

Annual Allowance of Pension Contributions

A tax charge may arise to an individual if the amount saved in that individuals’ various pension schemes exceeds the annual allowance for that year.

Self-assessment tax return – HMRC useful links.

A list of most relevant HMRC links that includes:How to fill in your tax return, residence, remittance basis etc. notes,Capital gains summary notes, UK property notes, Additional information notes, and many more

VAT Update January 2015

VAT Notices Update January 2015

VAT: businesses supplying digital services to private consumers

New guidance covering the recent changes to the place of supply of digital services from 1 January 2015 is available from the GOV.UK website.

Changes to private residence nomination rules.

Finance Bill 2015 will introduce changes in the rules on the nomination of an individual's private residence; the practice commonly known as "flipping".

HMRC turn its attention to horsebox owners

Owners of high-end horseboxes are a new target for HMRC in their march against tax evasion.

Solicitors Tax Campaign

In this campaign solicitors have until 9 March to contact HMRC and tell them they want to bring their tax affairs up to date.

Scottish taxpayers

Residence for Scottish income tax purposes.

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.