Technical resources

Certainty in tax

First published in 2014, this report examines certainty which, along with simplicity and stability, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? How can policymakers encourage certainty? Are there occasions when an uncertain outcome might be unavoidable, or even justified?

Ten common tax elections and claims

We look at some of the more common elections and claims that are useful tax planning or compliance tools

HMRC Charter

The HMRC Charter sets out the standard of behaviour and values that HMRC aspires to when interacting with customers. ACCA responded to the consultation, which closed on 15 August 2020

Raising standards in the tax advice market

ACCA responded to HMRC's call for evidence in August 2020

Why does sustainable business matter?

IN one of Jason Piper's Global Ethics Day 2020 articles, he examines why sustainable businesses will inevitably be at the core of recovery from the economic impact of Covid-19.

Tenets of business law: A framework for the future

In one of his Global Ethics Day 2020 articles, Jason Piper examines why business law needs to encourage ethical behaviour to help build better Covid-19 recovery.

ACCA's response to EU Green Deal – Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide our views to the proposed revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). We fully support the stated aims of this revision: by sending price signals, taxes are, indeed, an important lever in changing business and consumer behaviour. We particularly welcome the Commission’s intention to shift the tax burden from labour taxation to environmental taxation. ACCA believes that this holistic and system-wide policy response is key to addressing the scale of the environmental and social challenges currently facing not only EU member states, but countries around the world.

Technical factsheet: landlord reliefs and taxes

Over the past 10 years the government has attacked the buy-to-let market with a raft of new provisions designed, in part, to make this activity less attractive. This factsheet explores the reliefs and taxes affecting landlords.

Technical factsheet: inheritance tax planning

Unlike income tax, inheritance tax is something that clients will prefer not to think about until a fairly momentous stage in their life

Stability in tax

First published in 2015, this report examines stability which, along with simplicity and certainty, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? In the face of changing economic and social demands, and not least the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, how best can change be managed?

Simplicity in tax

irst published in 2013, this report examines simplicity which, along with certainty and stability, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? How can policymakers pursue simplicity? Are there occasions when other factors might justify complexity?

Call for evidence: raising standards in the tax advice market

ACCA's response to HMRC call for evidence on suggestions about how to raise and maintain high standards of competence and behaviour in the tax advice market in order to protect consumers and improve compliance.

Returners resources

Access a range of resources for an accountant to reskill prior to returning to work after a career or family break

Technical factsheet: treatment of benefits in kind – P11D guidance

There are special rules relating to certain kinds of benefit. However, in the absence of specific rules, the methods ‘cost to the employer’ and ‘money’s worth’ can be used to calculate the taxable value of benefit in kind.

Engagement letters for tax practitioners

Engagement letters for tax practitioners, issued in April 2018, provides guidance to tax practitioners about engagement letters for tax work. This has been supplemented by a schedule of services: Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV).

Budget 2020

ACCA has a host of webinars and support available to help you and your practice understand Budget 2020

Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT)

Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT) sets out the professional standards that are expected of a member when undertaking tax work.

Tax mitigation schemes and other risks

A factsheet from Lockton looks at what tax advisers should look out for next

Off-payroll working response

Comments from ACCA to HMRC’s policy consultation on off-payroll working rules in the private sector from April 2020, in May 2019

Finance Act 2019: overview

In our downloadable overview, we highlight some of the main areas and impact of the Finance Act 2019.

ACCA response to HM Treasury and HMRC Digital Services Tax consultation

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide views in response to HM Treasury on digital services tax (DST).

Tax as a force for good: rebalancing our tax systems to support a global economy fit for the future

On 27 February 2019, ACCA and Deloitte jointly organised an event in Brussels called Tax as a force for good: rebalancing our tax systems to support a global economy fit for the future, in order to explore how shifting tax from labour to natural resource use, pollution and consumption could help meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an inclusive, circular economy.

Self-assessment exclusions

There are ongoing problems with the SA tax calculator

Tax as a force for good: rebalancing our tax systems to support a global economy fit for the future

Considering the challenges societies are facing today, it is time to rebalance our tax systems and use tax as a force for good.

HMRC podcasts

HMRC has launched a suite of podcasts

Making tax digital: pilot communication

Members should be aware that HMRC is contacting clients directly about their MTD obligations

Budget 2018

Find out all you need to know about the Budget with our special issue of In Practice

Amending HMRC's Civil Information Powers

Comments from ACCA to a public consultation issued by HM Revenue & Customs.

Making tax digital for VAT

VAT Notice 700/22: Making Tax Digital for VAT, HMRC guidance and free ACCA member guidance are available

Self-assessment filing issues

There are ongoing problems with the SA tax calculator

Trusts legal framework factsheets

ACCA members can request a range of legal framework factsheets

Review of the corporate intangible fixed assets regime

ACCA comments on a public consultation issued by the HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs in May 2018.

Technical factsheet: Settlement agreements

The settlement offer was introduced by s111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to provide a new tool to assist employers to resolve issues at work. The offer and the subsequent discussions between the employer and the employee can result in them concluding a settlement agreement by which the employment is terminated in a mutually acceptable way.

Technical factsheet: Family-friendly rights

A number of important rights have been introduced in an effort to address the work/life balance problems faced in modern working families. These rights are only accorded to employees. Most of them depend upon serving a particular period of continuous employment. Employers are free to provide enhancement to these rights if they wish but the outline below is the basic statutory entitlement.

Relief available on losses on loans by traders

The how, when and by whom relief can be claimed on losses

capital gains and chattels

A refresher on CGT and chattels

CGT loss relief when a taxpayer dies

What to consider when it comes to CGT losses, including worked example

Jointly owned property and form 17

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

Finalising clients’ tax returns

Browse our ‘aide memoire’ of common and quirky issues/errors/omissions

Personal income tax – interest on qualifying loans

Under Income Tax Act 2007 (ITA) s383, interest paid on ‘qualifying loans’ is deductible in the tax computation

Averaging profits for farmers

Farmers and market gardeners in the UK may obtain relief by averaging the profits of consecutive years

When are pre-letting expenses allowed?

A look at pre-letting expenses and the issue of whether repairs are a capital or revenue expense

Rollover relief

A 60-second refresher and worked examples

Tax irregularities – should I resign?

A step-by-step guide to dealing with possible tax irregularities

Interest on loans from residential property income

A new measure will restrict relief for finance costs

Tax changes affecting buy-to-let properties

Tax changes for holding a rental property as an individual, or in a limited company, will need to be carefully considered by landlords

Changes to tax relief for residential landlords

A quick refresher on the impact of the new finance costs restrictions

Allowable expenses when using home as office

Tips to benefit from – and traps to avoid

Badges of trade

A side-by-side comparison of badges of trade between circumstances pointing to trade or investment

Income and expenses helpful hints for tax return

Understanding taxable and non-taxable receipts