Corporate tax roadmap

Confirmation of the major features of the corporation tax regime for the duration of this parliament

HMRC pauses some RDTC payments

The move comes as irregular claims are investigated

Corporation tax loss relief changes

Our handy comparison table explains the 2017 reforms

Guide to... corporation tax reliefs and allowances

Corporation tax reliefs and allowances help you to minimise your corporation tax liability

Guide to... salary or dividends: tax calculations

We explain the basics in deciding between paying yourself salary or awarding dividends from your limited company for the tax year

Guide to... chargeable gains for companies

Capital gains for limited companies and unincorporated associations (eg clubs and co-operatives) are dealt with through corporation tax and are referred to as chargeable gains

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

Technical factsheet: corporation tax trading losses – group relief

Part 5 of Corporation Tax Act 2010 allows a company to surrender losses and other amounts

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.

The tax cost of extracting a property from a company

Extracting a property from a company back into private beneficial ownership may be a costly affair

Post-cessation expenses

A close look at post-cessation expenses claims can save traders money

Changes for R&D tax credits

Businesses considering making an R&D claim need to understand the ‘capping’ changes made by the Chancellor

Structures and buildings allowance legislation taking shape

The consultation has closed and new legislation is expected shortly

Dissolving a small company

What needs to be included on the tax return to avoid giving yourself a headache

Terminal loss relief for companies

Don’t miss out on a valuable tax relief

Changes to tax relief for residential landlords

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

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

Simplification of the Corporation Tax computation

ACCA comments on the proposals issued by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) on the Simplification of the Corporation Tax computation.

HMRC consultation on tackling offshore tax evasion - a requirement to correct

ACCA has responded to a consultation by HM Revenue & Customs on tackling offshore tax evasion

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.

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.

Clamping down on tax avoidance

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

Ten common tax elections and claims

How to make claims under common tax elections.

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.

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

HMRC turn its attention to horsebox owners

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

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.

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.

Autumn statement highlights

A collection of snippets from the Autumn Statement.

Legal fees and Court costs

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

HMRC direct debt recovery - Additional safeguards announced

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Autumn Statement

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

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.

2014 Autumn Statement

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

Consultation: Tackling offshore tax evasion

HMRC's Offshore Evasion and Strategy Team has initiated its first consultation documents on tackling offshore tax evasion, which are open for comment until 31 October 2014.

Latest news and announcements from HMRC

HM Revenue & Customs latest news August 2014 can be accessed on the link below.

Reasonable excuse

Generally, a 'reasonable excuse' is when some unforeseeable or unusual event beyond somebody's control has prevented that person from filing the return on time. For example: a failure in the HMRC computer system,a serious illness, disability or serious mental health condition has made the taxpayer incapable of filing the tax return etc.

Tax avoidance schemes and accelerated payments

HMRC has today published a list of those avoidance scheme reference numbers (SRNs) whose users may be issued with an accelerated payment notice (APN).

Tax implications of the new UK GAAP

The transition to UK GAAP will bring with it some tax changes. Read more here.

Substantial shareholding exemption

The substantial shareholding exemption exempts the disposal of certain shares in subsidiaries from corporation tax on any capital gain.

Appeal provisions

Changes to appeal provisions for out of time reviews.

Travel costs – deductible or not?

The Samadian case outlines the key considerations when considering what relief is available for travel and when travel to work is not travel to work.

HMRC Agent Dedicated Line - Debt Management and Banking

HMRC have asked us to highlight their new dedicated debt management and banking helpline.

HMRC’s alternative dispute resolution

HMRC's Alternative Dispute Resolution Service has now been made nationwide and permanent and offers a simpler way of resolving tax disputes.

Construction industry scheme repayment

Guidance and information is being produced by HMRC to help ease the time and cashflow burden faced by subcontractors. ACCA and other professional bodies have provided input.

HMRC powers: pension schemes

HMRC gains new powers relating to pension schemes.

HMRC Agents Blog

As part of its Tax Agent Strategy, HMRC has introduced a new agents blog, providing useful information for agents.

Accelerated payments "tax-follower" cases

New legislation will place greater emphasis on previously decided tax cases.

HMRC powers extended - Direct collection from bank accounts

The government plans to give HMRC the power to recover tax directly from debtors’ bank accounts.

Upfront payment of tax associated with avoidance schemes

Taxpayers will be required to pay upfront tax disputed under schemes that fall within the DOTAS rules or are counteracted under the GAAR.

LLPs in the spotlight

Under the Finance Bill 2014, salaried members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) will become employees under certain conditions, while excess profits in mixed partnerships will be reallocated...

Corporation tax: changes ahead

Continued reduction in the corporation tax rate, removal of associated company rules, creative industries tax relief and a tightening of group profits movement were Budget highlights.

R&D Cashback for loss-making SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises that make a loss stand to benefit from an increase in research and development tax credits.

RTI penalties - HMRC announces a relaxation of penalties

Following feedback from taxpayers and the professional bodies, HMRC has decided to stagger the start of new, automated, in-year late payment and filing penalties, to give HMRC and employers more time to adapt to reporting in real time.

RTI: reporting, payments and penalties  

Just as the penalty regime commences, new information will need to be added to payroll submissions.

Let property campaign

The Let Property Campaign targets the residential property letting market and offers a chance for landlords in this sector to get up to date or put right any errors they have made.

Tax Information - HMRC and GOV.UK websites  

HMRC business and agent content is gradually being transferred to the Gov.UK site.

Business Income Manual - New UK GAAP

Just as the penalty regime commences, new information will need to be added to payroll submissions.

Autumn statement and corporation tax

HMRC have introduced changes to Extra Statutory Concession D33 (Capital Gains Tax on compensation and damages).

HMRC extends Real Time Information (RTI) holiday for micro-employers

HMRC has extended the RTI holiday for employers with 9 or fewer employees until 6 April 2016.

Income tax, national insurance, pensions and tax credits

What changes to personal taxes were announced in the Autumn Statement?

Withholding tax rates

Maximum rates of tax those countries with a Double Taxation Agreement with the UK can charge a UK resident on payments of dividends, interest, royalties and management/technical fees.

HMRC enquiries – re-opening earlier years

Tribunal case reveals that HMRC’s method of calculating income for earlier years on the basis of spreading is open to challenge where a more reasonable and accurate method is appropriate

Loan relationships - common problems demystified

Understand the basics of the loan relationships legislation and some of the more common real-life scenarios that crop up.

Loans to directors, trusts and LLPs

Anti-avoidance legislation aimed at loans to directors to be extended.

Seed enterprise investment scheme - HMRC guidance

Several changes to the SEIS were announced in this year’s Budget.

Termination payments - a refresher

The tax consequences of termination payments on cessation of employment

Repairs and renewals

HMRC have issued Revenue and Customs Brief 05/13 Direct tax: Guidance on repairs and renewals of assets, its draft guidance on what is a repair for direct tax purposes.

Research & Development Tax Relief

An overview of the tax reliefs available on expenditure on research and development

Back to basics: loan interest relief

A look at the rules relating to tax relief on loan interest.

Above-the-line credit

Budget 2013 announced the introduction of an above-the-line credit for research and development (R&D) expenditure incurred by large companies on or after 1 April 2013.

Finance Bill 2013

A look at some of the highlights of the 2013 Finance Bill

HMRC Agent Account Manager service

HMRC has set up a team of Agent Account Managers (AAMs) to assist agents and advisers to deal with HMRC more easily and effectively

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) becomes permanent

ACCA| HMRC Alternative dispute resolution services becomes permanent from 2013/14.

Charities online

From 22 April 2013, charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) will be required to use HMRC’s charities online service to obtain repayment of gift aid.

Budget 2013

ACCA have produced a Guide to the 2013 Budget.

Tax treaties

Details of new tax treaties.

Special relief (formerly equitable liability)

Understand the concept of ‘special relief’, formerly known as ‘equitable liability’.

PAYE penalties podcast

Welcome to ACCA's PAYE penalties podcast

Boxing clever - Patent Box

The Patent Box regime came into effect on 1 April 2013

Patent Box

The Patent Box regime comes into effect from 1 April 2013.

Compliance check factsheets

HMRC have published a suite of compliance check factsheets.

Allum & Allum v Marsh

Company purchase of own shares on retirement of directors; whether made for benefit of trade

Transfer pricing - HMRC manuals

HMRC's transfer pricing manuals have been re-ordered and rewritten

Reasonable excuse - September 2012 update

An update on some recent reasonable excuse tribunal cases.

HMRC - Tackling Tax Avoidance

HMRC has issued a new short briefing on its anti-avoidance activities in relation to aggressive tax avoidance schemes.

Finance Act 2012

The Finance Act 2012 received royal assent on 17 July 2012.