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Tax news in brief

Author: ICAEW Insights

Published: 21 Oct 2026

Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 21 October 2026, including the publication of a new webpage for checking for issues with HMRC services.

HMRC services and unplanned downtime 

HMRC has published a webpage that taxpayers and agents can visit to check if any HMRC services are currently experiencing unplanned downtime. For details of planned downtime, see HMRC service availability and issues - GOV.UK. 

Penalties for digital platform operators 

HMRC has published a factsheet (CC/FS98) explaining the penalties it may charge digital platform operators that fail to meet their reporting obligations.  

Further information 

Reporting sellers to HMRC if you're a digital platform operator - GOV.UK 

Help improve HMRC’s guidance 

HMRC is looking for agents who work with small businesses to take part in research to help improve guidance on GOV.UK. HMRC says that any information shared by the agent will be: 

  • anonymised;
  • kept confidential;
  • used only for research purposes; and
  • held securely at all times in line with data protection law. 

See issue 148 of HMRC’s Agent Update to learn more, including how to take part.  

How to build better tax system

ICAEW outlines the five institutional pillars needed to ensure the proper functioning of the UK tax system.

Tax Faculty

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