Working Together Groups - your communication channel with HMRC

Got an issue to raise with HMRC and fellow accountants? Contact your local Working Together group.

Capital Allowances and Buildings

The Finance Bill 2012 introduces new provisions with regard to claiming capital allowances on integral features.

CPD and tax relief

A look at the rules around tax relief on your – and your employees' – continuing professional development.

Making a late tax appeal

Madan Salhan looks at some of the issues and pitfalls to be considered in making a late tax appeal.

New ways to register for taxes online

HMRC has launched an online tax registration service to allow registration for all main business taxes (self assessment, corporation tax, PAYE for employers and VAT) in a single website visit.

Real time information and PAYE

RTI is a new way of reporting PAYE information. It will enable employers and pension providers to tell HMRC about payments to employees/pensioners as they are made rather than at the end of the tax year.

HMRC iXBRL commitment

HMRC agrees that no extension should be made to iXBRL tagging requirements in April 2013

IR 35 – new business entity tests

HMRC publishes guidance on its new approach to dealing with potential IR35 cases.

Alternative dispute resolution scheme

HMRC extends its alternative dispute resolution service trial nationwide.

EIS/SEIS - Advance Assurance Application

Details on obtaining advance qualification assurance for investments under the EIS and SEIS schemes.

HMRC campaigns

HMRC campaigns updates.

Keith Gordon: Challenging Sharkey v Wernher

Keith Gordon offer advice on challenging the Sharkey v Wernher principle of appropriations from trading stock at market value.

HMRC toolkits

The Expenses and Benefits from Employment Toolkit and the National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Toolkit have been updated and can be used for 2011/12 tax returns. Access the HMRC toolkits via the link on this page.

Small Business Tax Dispute Service

HMRC have announced an extension to its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Scheme, following a successful initial trial period. The essence of the scheme is to offer an is for an "independent HMRC facilitator" to offer a mediation-based approach to resolving a tax disputes which arise during the course of a compliance check, before an assessment or appealable decision is issued. Its aim is to reach a quick and fair conclusion the dispute and to avoid the need for either party to take the case to Tax Tribunal.

HMRC Agent Account Managers

If HMRC's normal communication channels have left you frustrated and still needing an answer, the Agent Account Manager service may help.

Guide to... benefits in kind (vehicles)

This is a basic guide and should not be used as definitive guides, since individual circumstances may vary; specific advice should be obtained, where necessary.

Enterprise Investment Scheme - the tax reliefs condensed

EIS is an important investment incentives. The tax reliefs are highlighted here while the business rules can be found in Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) –The Rules Condensed

A pub crawl around capital allowances

The Upper Tribunal has recently issued its judgment in the case of J D Wetherspoon plc v The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

New HMRC taskforces target tax evaders

HMRC to launch 30 new taskforces to crack down on tax dodgers in 2012/13.

HMRC's Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS)

Details of HMRC's litigation and settlement strategy (LSS), which is their internal guidance to staff on dealing with tax disputes.

Saying Goodbye to ESC C16

From 1 March statutory instrument 2012 number 266 The enactment of extra-statutory concessions order 2012 comes into force. On the same date extra statutory concession (ESC) C16 is effectively withdrawn.

Seed enterprise investment scheme (SEIS))

Draft guidance has been made available that is intended to apply from 6 April regarding the transfers of pension savings to qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes (QROPS).

HMRC penalties - conspicuous unfairness

HMRC are slammed by tribunal judges in recent appeal cases against PAYE penalties.

Budget 2012

ACCA have produced a Guide to the 2012 Budget.

Extra-statutory concession

A look at ESC C16 as things currently stand, together with a look at the new proposals.

Employment manual update

Technical guidance on the Finance Act 2011 rules on employment income provided through third parties has been updated.

Disguised remuneration

A look at the new regulations

HMRC Clearances and Approvals

Details of business and non-business clearance procedures.

Tribunal decisions reflecting business life

The First-Tier Tribunal has made a number of decisions lately which have shown an appreciation of the reality of business life, as this example highlights.

IR35 - An Update

Another look at IR 35 in light of some recent cases.

Furnished holiday lettings changes from April 2011 and 2012

A review of the FHL regime together with details of changes from April 2011 and April 2012.

CIS penalties

The CIS penalty regime has changed with effect from 1 November 2011.

Associated companies rules - changes

The rules for establishing whether two or more companies are associated for corporation tax purposes has changed for accounting periods ending after 31 March 2011.

Double tax treaty passports

Details of the new streamlined and quicker double tax treaty passport scheme.

Solar panels

Advice to share with clients considering investing in solar panels.

HMRC's efforts to close the tax gap

With HMRC under pressure to reduce the tax gap, we review recent, current and future initiatives to achieve this.

HMRC New and Ongoing Campaigns

Latest details of HMRC's targeted tax campaigns.

Reasonable excuse - recent tribunal action

There has been some important tribunal action recently regarding HMRC's interpretation of reasonable excuse.

Badges of trade

A simple concept but despite its simplicity it causes many taxpayer problems clearly indicated by the plethora of case law.

Reasonable excuse summary

Reasonable excuse: argue your case

Finance Bill 2011 - CPD Article

Read the article on the 2011 Finance Bill and answer the CPD questions to earn verifiable CPD points.

VAT registration clampdown

HMRC has announced that its latest campaign will target individuals and businesses who have income above the VAT threshold but who have not registered for VAT. This campaign will start in June/July 2011.

HMRC compliance checks

HMRC has published factsheets to help taxpayers understand the new framework for compliance checks.

IR35 - definition and case studies

A detailed look at IR35 legislation's history and case studies.

Regional corporation tax rates – Northern Ireland

In Budget 2011, the government published a consultation paper on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy, including looking at mechanisms for devolving the rate of corporation tax to Northern Ireland.

Office of Tax Simplification

The Office of Tax Simplifications reviews tax reliefs and small business taxes.

Filing to go ahead as planned on 1 April

The Treasury has rejected a request from ACCA and other tax bodies to delay the implementation of online filing on 1 April. HMRC has subsequently issued new guidance.

Tax experts send letter to Treasury minister regarding iXBRL accounts filing

Letter concern about the forthcoming mandatory requirement that all UK companies should submit statutory accounts to HMRC in iXBRL format.

Corporation tax: online filing, xbrl and ixbrl

Comprehensive guidance on the introduction of online filing for corporation tax, XBRL and iXBRL.

Compulsory iXBRL filing - an important update

iXBRL – Corporation Tax on-line filing needs a deferral, says ACCA.

Guide to...benefits in kind (vehicles)

This is a basic guide and should not be used as definitive guides, since individual circumstances may vary; specific advice should be obtained, where necessary.

Guide To... research and development

The Government wants to send out the signal loud and clear that Britain is open for business.

Income shifting cases

Important income shifting cases

IR35 tax cases

Tax cases - whether IR35 applies or not.

Annual investment allowance and taxi cabs

A guide to the capital allowances position for taxi cabs

Business payment support service (BPSS) and communication with agents

Guidance for members experiencing difficulties with HMRC regarding the BPSS.

Business payment support service

Business Payment Support Service (BPSS) update.

Corporation tax online filing - software compatibility update

HMRC lists commercial software suppliers.

Guidance from HMRC on record-keeping

HMRC has issued guidance on record-keeping in light of the requirements under Finance Act 2008, Schedule 37.

Goodwill on incorporation

The Finance Act 2002 changed the treatment of goodwill amortised by companies. It does not apply to goodwill acquired prior to 1 April 2002 which continues to be treated within the capital gains regime, neither does it apply to internally-generated goodwill.

Changes to time limits for tax claims and assessment

As part of HMRC's new compliance regime, the time limits for making tax claims (eg error or mistake claims) and raising assessments have been aligned IT, CGT, CT, VAT, PAYE and NIC.

Interest - working towards a harmonised regime - draft legislation and commentary for Corporation Tax and Petroleum Revenue Tax

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), February 2010.

Which entities are required to comply?

All entities that are sent a notice to deliver a corporation tax return are required to file that return online. Also, any organisation that is within the charge to corporation tax must pay that tax (and any related payments, such as interest on tax paid late) electronically.

CTSA online filing

Issue with Annual Investment Allowance for accounting periods straddling 31 March 2008.

Residence and domicile

A case looking at company residence

Crown dependencies

Guernsey drops zero-ten corporate tax regime and IOM conducts public consultation.

Withdrawal of 10 extra statutory concessions

HMRC has identified ten ESCs that will be withdrawn.

The new compliance regime

Penalties, record-keeping, compliance checks and HMRC Powers taxpayer safeguards

Advance thin capitalisation agreements

Revenue and Customs Brief 01/09 on the process for entering into advance thin capitalisation agreements.

Employer-provided medical check-ups

Employees will be exempt from tax and NIC on employer-provided medical check-ups.

Tax: why it pays to be organised

A new system of penalties for errors and omissions on tax returns has been introduced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Although the penalties themselves won’t be levied until after 1 April 2009, you need to act now to help your clients get organised and avoid a potential penalty.

Associated company rules

After lengthy discussions between HMRC and the accountancy profession it has been agreed that s.35 FA 2008 will apply to corporation tax periods after 1 April 2008. For periods before 1 April the law as it previously stood should apply.

Advance thin capitalisation agreements

HMRC has commented that despite concerns expressed in a number of enquiries, the guidance in Statement of Practice (04/07) still reflects its continued position on Advance Thin Capitalisation Agreements (ATCAs).

Falmer Jeans v Rodin

Trade acquired from a third party company; whether accumulated losses can be set-off.