ICAEW insights, technical guidance and news updates on tax measures affecting UK tax compliance and changes to contacting HMRC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HMRC is restoring priority access to the ADL from Monday 14 June 2021 and committed to call waiting times of less than 10 minutes. However, the ADL will not handle certain types of calls where digital alternatives are available.
A new paper adopted by the European Commission sets out plans to promote a robust, efficient and fair business tax system in the EU, supporting post-pandemic recovery and boosting public revenues in the future.
ICAEW members have highlighted issues they have experienced following updates to the corporation tax return (CT600) on 1 April 2021, including trouble accessing an additional page relating to research and development claims.
The government has published the National Insurance Contributions Bill, which legislates reliefs for employers of veterans and those operating in Freeports, as well as for the self-employed isolating due to COVID-19. The Bill will also enable upcoming changes to the DOTAS scheme to apply to national insurance avoidance.
ICAEW members are reporting that poor performance is being experienced across almost all HMRC services and ICAEW has been pressing for greater transparency about the problems being experienced and for a clear recovery plan. The Tax Faculty outlines the problems that have been raised and the action it has taken.
HMRC has struggled to maintain business-as-usual service levels during the coronavirus pandemic and cannot improve services as envisaged in its Charter without more resource, warns ICAEW.
This month’s top technical stories on ICAEW Insights include news on the fourth self-employed grant, new EU sustainability disclosure rules and how auditors can report on irregularities, including fraud.
Tax agents can discuss more than one client on calls to HMRC’s agent dedicated line, as long as the call handlers have capacity HMRC has clarified.
COVID-19 is likely to further spur the global trend towards tax digitalisation. David Lyford-Smith from ICAEW’s Tech Faculty considers changes that will help automate processes to make them more efficient and points to ongoing challenges, such as digital exclusion.
The message from HMRC is clear: where businesses are in distress it will provide support, but there must be ongoing conversations.
Employees working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic can continue to claim tax relief on costs not reimbursed by their employer, but a new claim will need to be made for the 2021/22 tax year, HMRC has confirmed.
Highlights from the broader tax news week ending 31 March, which includes: HMRC repackaging its guidance on tax implications of cryptocurrencies and rate change for COVID statutory sick pay rebate scheme.
This month’s top technical stories on ICAEW Insights include updates on the government’s corporate governance reforms, Budget and Tax Day announcements and further news on COVID support schemes.
Highlights from the broader tax news week ending 24 March, which includes: new support on the tax treatment of paying employee transport costs due to COVID-19, an error in CWG5 and a reminder of self-assessment payment deadline.
HMRC has confirmed details of the temporary process which allows agents to submit an appeal against late filing penalties on behalf of up to 25 clients.
24 February 2021: This month’s top technical stories on ICAEW Insights include updates on self assessment penalties, IR35 changes and a major change to the government’s Kickstart Scheme.
19 February: Self assessment taxpayers have an additional four weeks to pay tax or set up a payment plan without being charged a 5% late payment penalty, HMRC has confirmed.
10 February 2021. HMRC’s quarterly performance statistics for October to December 2020 show that it continues to struggle to provide an adequate level of customer service. Alongside the data HMRC has published a commentary as it did in the last quarter.
10 February 2021: Respected tax authority Rebecca Benneyworth has written two new TAXguides offering valuable insights into the key issues facing agents at the start of 2021 and exploring what business structure has the lowest tax burden.
8 February 2021: HMRC is urging businesses that deferred VAT payable between 20 March and 30 June 2020 to participate in a pilot scheme this week testing the new payment scheme.