by Jessica Garbett | Nov 9, 2014 | ACCA, HMRC, residence and non residence
The government continues its crackdown on those seeking to illegally evade their UK tax liability by using offshore tax shelters. £1.5bn has been recovered from offshore tax evaders over the past two years and the government is continuing with measures to improve tax...
by Jessica Garbett | Nov 6, 2014 | HMRC
Jut a quick note about scams currently circulating. Most people are aware of the risks from pishing emails, and false email from HMRC and Companies House are two common occurrences. However there are also a number of postal scams, normally around things like...
by Jessica Garbett | Nov 3, 2014 | ACCA, business taxation, HMRC, personal taxatation
The OTS has published the final report on its review of the competitiveness of UK tax administration, making 50 recommendations for improvements. The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has published a report on UK tax administration competitiveness. The report...
by Jessica Garbett | Nov 1, 2014 | ACCA, pension reform
Many small employers now require help to complete their automatic enrolment responsibilities, with small and micro employers needing to be ready to provide a pension for their workers by the summer of 2015. Thousands of employers will soon be approaching you to help...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 28, 2014 | ACCA, business issues, personal finance, personal taxatation, property taxation
From 1 December 2014, a number of landlords will need to check that someone has the right to live in the UK before letting a property to them. This includes taking in lodgers or sub-letting a property. The ‘right to rent’ checks apply to: landlords in Birmingham,...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 25, 2014 | ACCA, VAT
The latest changes to VAT rates from countries within the European Union. Denmark From 1 January 2015 the Danish authorities will allow companies 100% input VAT recovery on hotel accommodation costs. This applies uniformly to resident and non-resident companies as...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 22, 2014 | ACCA, personal finance, personal taxatation, residence and non residence
In August changes took effect around how money brought into the UK or used in the UK under a loan facility secured by foreign income or gains is treated. A taxpayer who is resident but not domiciled in the UK can elect to pay tax on the remittance basis, ie he is...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 19, 2014 | ACCA, business taxation, enquiries and tax disputes
Offshore loan schemes used by contractors are under attack by HMRC, following the successful outcome of Philip Boyle v HMRC at the First-Tier Tribunal. HMRC is giving the 16,000 or so users of these schemes the opportunity to bring their affairs up to date on...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 16, 2014 | ACCA, business taxation, employer returns, enquiries and tax disputes, personal taxatation, RTI
Few taxpayers win reasonable excuse appeal cases. These examples buck the trend. Reasonable excuse continues to be important; recent cases have shown many instances where the taxpayer has lost. However, it is possible to win, particularly where there has been an...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 13, 2014 | business taxation, VAT
A query from a client, “Do I need a receipt for a payment by contactless card, eg a travel ticket?” To clear up a myth, you don’t need recipts to claim an expense. However you should have evidence of that expense. Obviously recipts are good evidence,...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 13, 2014 | ACCA, accountancy regulation, business issues, financial reporting
The government is consulting on the implementation of the EU Accounting Directive proposed changes to the audit exemption provisions in Companies Act. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a consultation on the implementation in the UK...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 10, 2014 | ACCA, VAT
HMRC has had a change of policy following the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) decision in Robinson Family Ltd [2012] UKFTT 360 (TC). The changes are three-fold and are discussed here policy change by policy change. Surrender of a property lease HMRC has changed its policy...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 9, 2014 | pensions, personal finance, personal taxatation, Tax Help for Old People
There can be a mountain of paperwork to deal with after a bereavement, and everyday matters like dealing with banks, council departments and utility companies can become overwhelming. One area which needs attention in the majority of bereavements is tax. It is also...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 7, 2014 | ACCA, business issues
The quick guide to IP protection Intellectual property may be the most valuable asset a business owns. Here’s how to protect it. Intellectual property may be the most valuable asset a business owns. Here’s how to protect it. When it comes to setting up and running a...
by Jessica Garbett | Oct 4, 2014 | ACCA, pensions
Statement of Recommended Practice will bring clarity, but lobbying of DWP is important in achieving this. Statement of Recommended Practice will bring clarity, but lobbying of DWP is important in achieving this. A proposed new Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)...
