UK: Consultation on taxation of benefits in kind under salary sacrifice schemes
On 10 August 2016 the UK issued a consultation document looking at possible effects of changing the way benefits apply when a benefit in kind is provided in relation to a salary sacrifice or flexible benefit scheme. The government is considering a
See MoreUK: Consultation on tax and national insurance on termination payments
Following a consultation earlier this year and consideration of the responses received HMRC has published a further consultation paper containing draft legislation on the taxation of payments received on termination of employment.. The government
See MoreUK: Interest rates for late payments reduced according to base rate of Central Bank
On 4 August 2016, the Bank of England reduced the base rate to 0.25%. As a result, on 5 August 2016, HMRC announced that interest rates for late payment will be reduced with effect on: 15 August 2016 for quarterly installment payments; and 23
See MoreUK: Double tax treaty with Senegal effective in UK
The double taxation agreement between the UK and Senegal that was signed on 26 February 2015 entered into force on 30 March 2016. In the UK the agreement is effective from any year of assessment beginning on or after 6 April 2016 for income tax or
See MoreUK: Statistics for Creative Industries Tax Relief
On 20 July 2016 the UK published updated statistics on claims for creative industry tax relief. The statistics include data for the film tax relief, high end television tax relief, animation tax relief and video games tax relief for periods up to
See MoreUK: Research report on intermediaries legislation
On 12 July 2016 HMRC published the results of research undertaken to understand the implications for employers and engagers if they are given responsibility for operating the intermediaries legislation. The intermediaries legislation combats tax
See MoreUK: Double tax agreement with Algeria enters into force
The double taxation agreement between the UK and Algeria entered into force on 26 June 2016. The agreement was signed on 18 February 2015. The agreement will be effective in the UK from 1 January 2017 for withholding tax; from 1 April 2017 for
See MoreUK: Chancellor announces plan to cut the corporation tax rate
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has suggested in an interview that he intends to reduce the corporation tax rate to less than 15% in an effort to attract business. This would be part of an effort to build a “super-competitive economy”
See MoreUK publishes text of double tax agreement with the United Arab Emirates
On 28 June 2016 the UK published the text of the double taxation agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that was signed on 12 April 2016. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model Tax Convention but the following points
See MoreUK publishes double taxation agreement with Turkmenistan
On 27 June 2016 the UK published the text of the double tax agreement with Turkmenistan. The agreement was signed on 10 June 2016 and has not yet entered into force. The following aspects of the treaty should be noted: Permanent establishment The
See MoreUK publishes text of double tax agreement with Uruguay
On 28 June 2016 the UK published the text of the double tax convention with Uruguay signed on 24 February 2016. The agreement is not yet in force. The provisions of the agreement generally follow the OECD Model but the following items are of
See MoreUK: Customs Information Paper on Exit from the EU
HMRC has issued Customs Information Paper 42 (2016) in relation to the referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU). The paper clarifies that there will be no immediate change to the movement of goods in or out of the UK. Until Article 50
See MoreUK: Proposed tax on sugary drinks criticized by pressure group
As part of the budget proposals for 2016 the UK announced a proposal to impose a tax on sugary drinks with effect from April 2018. This would apply to soft drinks with sugar content above a certain level and would be imposed on the manufacturers of
See MoreUK: Consultation on reforms to the intermediaries legislation for the public sector
The intermediaries legislation was introduced in the UK to ensure that people doing the same work for the same pay were liable to the same tax and national insurance contributions whether employed directly or working through an intermediary such as
See MoreUK: Consultation on changes to double tax treaty passport scheme
The UK imposes withholding tax of 20% on interest paid to overseas lenders. This rate is reduced under some double tax treaties and in this case HMRC can issue a notice directing the UK borrower to apply the reduced rate of withholding tax to
See MoreUK: Consultation on changes to landfill tax
On 26 May 2016 the UK published a consultation document on changes to the definition of a taxable disposal for the purposes of landfill tax. The government also wants to gather information and views on hazardous waste that comes within the scope of
See MoreUK: Consultation on secondary adjustments in transfer pricing legislation
On 26 May 2016 the UK has published a consultation document on the possible introduction of secondary adjustments into the UK transfer pricing legislation. This would in the opinion of the UK government help to ensure taxpayer compliance with the
See MoreUK: Updated guidance on PAYE penalties confirms continuation of penalty easement
HMRC has issued updated guidance on penalties for late filing and non-filing of PAYE returns and how to avoid them. The revised guidance confirms that employers filing their full payment within three days after the due date will not have to pay a
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