HMRC Updated guidance on advance pricing agreements
On 8 November 2016, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) updated Statement of Practice 2 (2010) which sets out the process for obtaining advance pricing agreements (APAs). The updated statement of practice: Updates previous guidance on the
See MoreUK: Details of double tax agreement with Colombia
Details are available of the double tax agreement between the UK and Colombia signed on 2 November 2016. The treaty generally conforms to the provisions of the OECD Model Tax Convention but the following should be noted: Permanent establishment A
See MoreUK: Double tax agreement with Lesotho
The UK signed a double tax agreement with Lesotho on 3 November 2016. When it goes into effect it will replace the current agreement signed in 1997. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model Tax Convention but the following
See MoreUK: Double tax agreement with Colombia
On 2 November 2016 the UK and Colombia signed a double taxation agreement, during a state visit to the UK by the President of Colombia. The signing of the agreement is based on a shared commitment to increasing trade and investment between the two
See MoreUK: First year allowance for low emission cars extended for three years
The UK government has announced its intention to introduce legislation as part of the Finance Bill 2017 to extend the period of application of the First Year Allowance (FYA) for companies purchasing low emission cars. The 100% FYA was originally
See MoreUK: Revised professional code of conduct to combat tax avoidance
On 1 November 2016 HMRC announced that seven leading tax and accountancy bodies in the UK have revised their Professional Conduct in Relation to Tax (PCRT) to emphasize that members of these professional bodies should not encourage tax avoidance
See MoreUK: Report highlights HMRC tax investigations of high net worth individuals
The UK’s National Audit Office has noted that the tax authority HMRC is currently pursuing around a third of the UK’s wealthiest people for a total of around GBP 1.9 billion in underpaid tax. The National Audit Office (NAO) is a watchdog that
See MoreUK: Statistics on funds raised through the EIS and SEIS
The schemes known as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are two of the tax advantaged venture capital schemes in the UK, the other being the tax relief for investment in venture capital trusts for
See MoreUK: Extension of interim securitization regime
Securitization companies are used by some businesses to raise funds by issuing debt to the market and holding assets as security. The transactions depend on the quality of the debt issued and this in turn depends on the rating given by the credit
See MoreUK: Statistics released on Venture Capital Trusts
On 20 October 2016 HMRC released statistics on Venture Capital Trusts. The tax regime for venture capital trusts (VCTs) provides that a VCT if correctly structured can obtain tax relief for the trust itself and for its investors. The VCT regime is
See MoreUK: Tax gap estimates published
On 20 October 2016 HMRC announced that the tax gap in the UK has fallen to GBP 36 billion or 6.5%, its lowest ever level. The latest figures released relate to the year 2014/15. The tax gap represents the difference between the amount of tax that
See MoreUK: Statistics on patent box tax relief
On 14 September 2016 HMRC released statistics on the uptake of the patent box legislation during the first year it was in force. The legislation went into effect in relation to profits earned after 1 April 2013 and is being phased in gradually with
See MoreUK: Date of Autumn Statement announced
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer is to announce the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016. The Autumn Statement is sometimes used to introduce new tax measures or to announce intended legislation for the following year's budget. Often draft
See MoreUK given powers to introduce public CbC reporting
The UK Government has accepted a cross-party backbench amendment to Finance Bill 2016 which gives HM Treasury powers to introduce public country-by-country reporting. The amendment allows, but does not compel, HM Treasury to bring forward
See MoreUK: HMRC survey of mid-sized businesses
n 25 August 2016 HMRC published the results of a survey of mid-sized businesses. This covers the types of business dealt with by HMRC’s Mid-Size Business Unit. These businesses are seen by HMRC as a distinct group owing to their contribution to
See MoreUK: Consultation on tackling the hidden economy
On 26 August HMRC launched three new consultations containing proposals to tackle the hidden economy. Comments are invited from interested parties by 21 October 2016. Hidden economy: extended power to collect data from money service
See MoreUK: Update on advance assurance for R&D tax relief
On 24 August 2016 HMRC held a webinar to provide an update on the advance assurance scheme for research and development (R&D) tax relief. The scheme which is aimed at small companies was launched in November 2015 and there have so far been more
See MoreUK: Large Business Survey 2015
On 25 August 2016 HMRC published the Large Business Survey 2015. The survey asked large businesses about various aspects of their relationship with HMRC. A telephone survey was conducted with 932 Heads of Tax and Directors of Finance of large
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