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Tax news in brief

Author: ICAEW Insights

Published: 17 Feb 2026

Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 17 February 2026, including: guidance from HMRC on the new 40% first year allowance (FYA); and an update on the roll-out of GOV.UK One Login.

Guidance on new 40% FYA

Legislation included in the Finance Bill 2025-26 provides for the introduction of a new 40% FYA for qualifying expenditure incurred on or after 1 January 2026. HMRC has updated its Capital Allowances Manual to include guidance on the new FYA, starting at CA23195A.

Further information

Winners and losers from capital allowances changes | ICAEW

TAXguide 05/25: Finance Bill 2025-26 | ICAEW

Update on GOV.UK One Login

GOV.UK One Login is a new way of signing in to government services. Over time it will replace all other sign in routes, including Government Gateway.

From 9 February 2026, taxpayers who register to use HMRC’s digital services for the first time can sign-up using GOV.UK One Login. Taxpayers who use a Government Gateway account to access HMRC’s services do not need to take any action. HMRC says that they should “continue to use their current Government Gateway ID and will be contacted when it’s time for them to switch to GOV.UK One Login”.

Further information

HMRC introduces GOV.UK One Login for new customers - GOV.UK

Employees encouraged to claim refunds

HMRC is asking employers to encourage their employees to check the HMRC App and claim any refunds they are owed. HMRC no longer issues tax refunds automatically by cheque for most PAYE customers. HMRC says that: “last year, over 730,000 refunds went unclaimed, with the average refund worth £855”.

Further information

How do I use the HMRC app to claim a tax refund?

Payment deadlines fall on a Sunday

In the latest issue of its Employer Bulletin, HMRC has warned employers that the electronic payment deadlines fall on a Sunday on 22 February 2026 and 22 March 2026. HMRC says that, to make sure payments reach HMRC in time, employers need to have funds cleared into HMRC’s account by 20 February 2026 and 20 March 2026, unless they are able to arrange a Faster Payment.

Changes made to land transaction tax

Following an announcement made as part of the Welsh Budget process, secondary legislation has been made that makes a number of changes to land transaction tax (LTT). The changes include:

  • introducing a new refund rule for the higher residential rates of LTT where a landlord leases a dwelling to a local authority in Wales through the Leasing Scheme Wales; and
  • increasing the existing multiple dwelling relief minimum tax rule rate from 1% to 3%.

Further information

The Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Act 2017 (Amendments to Schedule 5) Regulations 2026

The Land Transaction Tax (Modification of Relief for Acquisitions Involving Multiple Dwellings) (Wales) Regulations 2026

Tax Faculty

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