A first-of-its-kind service for the UK has been launched by HMRC to provide tax certainty to businesses planning to invest in major projects.

The Advance Tax Certainty Service (ATCS) provides clarity on how UK tax rules will apply to major investment projects prior to investor commitment.

Businesses planning to invest £1bn or more in qualifying UK expenditure over a project's lifetime will now be eligible to apply for certainty on key tax issues. This assurance will help them to invest with confidence in the UK.

The service covers the following UK taxes and schemes:

• corporation tax
• VAT
• stamp duty land tax
• income tax
• PAYE regulations
• Construction Industry Scheme

Full details are available at GOV.UK

HMRC's continued work to tackle illegal activity on the High Street

In other business news, HMRC has shared how it is ramping up work to tackle illegal activity on the high street.

In July, HMRC and partners made 74 unannounced visits across Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Scotland, Manchester, and Warwickshire.

HMRC states that it will be making more than 30,000 high street interventions in 2026/27 aiming to dismantle criminal networks involved in tax fraud, labour exploitation, and the sale of illicit tobacco. 

Please share this message with your networks to help businesses and clients understand what HMRC is doing to help protect compliant taxpayers and deter criminal activity.