News
Student tax scam warning23/09/2021 - More...
HMRC is warning new students starting university that they could be targeted by scammers trying to steal their money and personal details. As new students start the academic year, they can be particularly vulnerable to tax scams. This is especially prevalent if they have a part-time job and are new to interacting with HMRC. This year,
New timetable for import controls
23/09/2021 - More...
There are special procedures for importing goods into the UK. Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the process for importing goods from the EU effectively mirrors the process for all other international destinations. On 14 September 2021, a revised timetable for the introduction of full import controls
Government announces winter COVID plan
23/09/2021 - More...
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has set out the government’s autumn and winter plan for managing Covid. The government is aiming to sustain the progress made and prepare the country for future challenges, while ensuring the National Health Service (NHS) does not come under unsustainable pressure. The government plans to achieve this
SEISS claims deadline in a few days
23/09/2021 - More...
The final deadline for making a claim under the 5th Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is 30 September 2021. The SEIS scheme is only open to those self-employed with annual profits of less than £50,000 and who receive at least half their income from self-employment. Self-employed persons whose turnover has fallen by more than
VAT register inactivity
23/09/2021 - More...
HMRC’s published guidance titled ‘Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method’ has been updated. The list is intended to help taxpayers check if recent contacts purporting to be from HMRC are actually a scam. The guidance contains a list of emails, phone calls, letters and text messages recently issued by HMRC
Want to complain about HMRC?
23/09/2021 - More...
Taxpayers may find themselves in a position where they need to make a complaint about HMRC’s service. Complaints can relate to many different issues such as unreasonable delays, mistakes and poor treatment by HMRC’s staff. Note, there is a separate procedure to be followed by taxpayers that disagree with a decision of HMRC or that wish to
Outdoor measures to be made permanent
20/09/2021 - More...
Temporary measures that have given a huge boost to high streets and hospitality during the pandemic could be made permanent following a public consultation launched in September 2021. From marquees being put up in pub grounds, to street markets operating all year round, permitted development rights that have allowed people to enjoy al
Budget date announced
16/09/2021 - More...
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday, 27 October 2021. This will be the Chancellor’s third Budget and the first one to revert back to the Autumn Budget schedule that was interrupted first by Brexit related issues and then by the coronavirus pandemic. It means that
Pension triple-lock abandoned for one year
16/09/2021 - More...
The government has confirmed that its triple-lock guarantee on pensions is to be abandoned for one year. The guarantee was first introduced in 2010 and has remained in place until now. This guarantee has seen the full yearly State Pension increase by over £2,050 in this period. The triple-lock is the mechanism used to calculate increases
Capped social care costs from October 2023
16/09/2021 - More...
The government has announced new plans to cap social care costs in England from October 2023. This change is expected to see the introduction of a new £86,000 cap on care costs across an individual’s lifetime. There will also be the following measures of financial assistance for those without substantial assets: Anyone with less than
Dental Associates tax status update
16/09/2021 - More...
HMRC has, for many years, accepted that associate dentists are generally treated as self-employed. These agreements have been approved by the British Dental Association (BDA) and the Dental Practitioners Association (DPA) and are quoted in HMRC’s manuals. HMRC’s manuals state that ‘these agreements relate to dentists practising as
Class 1 NIC changes extend to Class 1A contributions
16/09/2021 - More...
It is important to bear in mind that the 1.25% increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) for 2022-23 will apply to National Insurance Class 1 and Class 4 contributions from April 2022. This means that the increase will apply to Class 1 (employee and employer), Class 1A and 1B and Class 4 (self-employed) NICs. Those above State
Do tax-payers need to register for Self-Assessment
16/09/2021 - More...
There are a number of reasons why a taxpayer needs to complete a Self-Assessment return. This includes if they are self-employed, a company director, have an annual income over £100,000 and / or have income from savings, investment or property. Taxpayers that need to complete a Self-Assessment return for the first time should inform HMRC
Gender pay gap reporting to commence from 5 October
16/09/2021 - More...
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed in February 2021 that enforcement action against employers for failing to report their gender pay gap data for the last reporting year (2020/21) would be suspended for six months and so would not begin until 5 October 2021. This additional six-month period is almost at an end and
Using your Personal tax accounts
09/09/2021 - More...
HMRC’s Personal tax accounts (PTAs) were launched in 2015. The service works as an online resource to allow taxpayers to review and update their details in real time. For many routine requests and services using the PTA can help you avoid having to phone or write to HMRC. Every individual in the UK that pays tax has a PTA, but taxpayers
Claiming a tax refund
09/09/2021 - More...
If you think that you have paid too much tax to HMRC you can usually claim back any overpaid tax. The exact method for making a claim depends on a number of factors including whether or not you complete a Self-Assessment return and the length of time that has passed since the tax was overpaid. Claims can usually be backdated for up to
Child benefit when child turns 16
09/09/2021 - More...
Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31 August on or after a child’s 16th Birthday. Under qualifying circumstances, the child benefit can continue until a child reaches their 20th birthday. A qualifying young person is someone aged 16,17, 18 or 19 in full time
Deadline for notifying an option to tax (VAT) land and buildings
09/09/2021 - More...
There are special VAT rules that allow businesses to standard rate the supply of most non-residential and commercial land and buildings (known as the option to tax). This means that subsequent supplies by the person making the option to tax will be subject to VAT at the standard rate. HMRC had temporarily changed the time limit from 30
Back to school – help with childcare costs
09/09/2021 - More...
As children have returned to school, HMRC is reminding parents that they may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs. The TFC scheme can help parents of children aged up to 11 years old (17 for those with certain disabilities). The TFC scheme helps support working families with their
National Insurance increase to fund NHS and social care
08/09/2021 - More...
The Prime Minister announced increases in National Insurance Contributions (NIC) of 1.25% from April 2022, to contribute to increases in the NHS and social care budgets. The increases will apply to: Class 1 contributions (paid by employees). This is the NIC that is deducted from your earnings by your employer. Class 4 (paid by