UK revises rules on VAT refunds for group members
The UK’s HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated the rules for UK VAT refunds claimed by non-UK businesses that are members of VAT groups, according to a policy paper issued on 8 September 2026. Under the revised rules, non-UK VAT group
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UK: HMRC revises VAT refunds, gives businesses route to revisit rejected claims
The UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), has published Revenue and Customs Brief 8(2026) on 8 September 2026, setting out revised rules for UK VAT refund claims made by non-UK businesses that are members of a VAT group. All non-UK businesses that
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UK proposes compulsory foreign permanent establishment exemption from 2027
The UK government has published draft legislation proposing to make the foreign permanent establishment (PE) exemption compulsory for UK-resident companies from 1 January 2027. The draft legislation, published on 13 July 2026, would amend Part 2
See MoreUK, Vietnam customs pact enters into force
The UK-Vietnam Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, signed on 29 October 2025, entered into force on 1 July 2026. The agreement provides a framework for customs authorities to exchange information,
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Canada completes ratification of UK’s CPTPP accession
Canada has completed its domestic ratification process in July 2026, clearing the final hurdle for the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), according to the UK government page on the
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UK: HMRC urges remaining customers to sign up ahead of September deadline
The UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that more than 436,000 sole traders and landlords have successfully sent their first Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax quarterly update for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, with over 570,000
See MoreUK: HMRC outlines changes to VAT Capital Goods Scheme
The UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published Revenue and Customs Brief 7 (2026): Changes to the VAT Capital Goods Scheme on 30 July 2026, outlining changes to the assets covered under the VAT Capital Goods Scheme. The UK tax system simplified
See MoreUK shifts steel strategy to quotas, activates major bicycle duties
After four days of administrative quiet, UK trade policy saw significant implementation this week, defined by a strategic shift in the steel sector and a major reinforcement of trade defences for bicycles. The expiry of long-standing anti-dumping
See MoreUK updates guidance on transitional approach to Pillar Two GIR filing, exchange
The UK’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has updated its Pillar Two guidance to confirm the adoption of the OECD’s transitional approach for the central filing and exchange of the GloBE Information Return (GIR). Under the updated
See MoreUK expands bicycle anti-dumping duties in major trade defence action
This week was marked by a significant tightening of UK trade policy, headlined by a major expansion of the anti-dumping regime for bicycles. New 48.5% duties were applied to imports from Malaysia and Pakistan, and in a key anti-circumvention move,
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UK: HMRC publishes GAAR opinions on employee benefit trust IHT arrangements
UK’s His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published two reports from the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) Advisory Panel concluding that arrangements designed to reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) through the use of employee benefit trusts
See MoreUK to reduce business tax for pubs, clubs, music venues
The UK government has announced a 20% reduction in business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from April 2027, a move expected to benefit nearly 32,000 venues and save the typical pub an estimated GBP 1,100 in
See MoreUK announces VAT cut on electricity
The UK government has announced today, 21 July 2026, that VAT on domestic electricity bills will be reduced from 5% to 0% from 1 October 2026, providing support to households ahead of the next Ofgem price cap as part of a package of cost-of-living
See MoreUK tariff sees major liberalisation for India, new scrutiny on Chinese machinery
After a quiet start, the week in UK trade policy was defined by a massive mid-week surge of activity. The dominant events were a significant liberalisation for Indian agricultural goods, with hundreds of new 0% duties taking effect, and a swift
See MoreUK: HMRC consults draft 2026 Finance Bill tax measures
The UK government has published a series of draft Finance Bill 2026 measures proposing changes across several indirect taxes and duties, including the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, Air Passenger Duty (APD), Alcohol Duty, Landfill Tax, VAT and Vehicle
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UK: HMRC initiates tax consultations on NICs, brownfield relief, development costs
The UK’s His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched three tax consultations as part of the Finance Bill 2026 programme, seeking views on changes to the recovery framework for National Insurance contributions (NICs), reforms to Land
See MoreUK: HMRC publishes Oil and Gas Revenue Levy, foreign PE reforms for Finance Bill 2026-27
The UK HMRC has published policy papers, draft legislation, and explanatory notes covering two proposed tax measures: the introduction of a new Oil and Gas Revenue Levy to replace the existing Energy Profits Levy, and reforms to the foreign
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Switzerland, UK conclude negotiations on modernised free trade agreement
Switzerland and the United Kingdom have concluded negotiations on a modernised free trade agreement, Swiss President Guy Parmelin and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle announced during a meeting in Bern on 13 July. The
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