UK: Consultation on extension of HMRC data gathering powers
On 22 July 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC issued a consultation document entitled “Tackling the Hidden Economy: Extension of Data Gathering Powers”. HMRC estimated that in 2012/13 the element of the tax gap caused by the hidden economy amounted
See MoreUK: Consultation on strengthening sanctions for tax avoidance
On 22 July 2015 the UK government issued a consultation document containing detailed proposals for strengthening the penalties for tax avoidance. The closing date for comments on this consultation document is 14 October 2015. Serial avoiders’
See MoreUK: Consultation on improving large business tax compliance
On 22 July 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC launched a consultation on improving large business tax compliance. In the 2015 budget the UK government stated its intention to open a consultation on the measures that could be taken to improve tax
See MoreUK: HMRC issues consultation document on intermediaries legislation
On 17 July 2015 HMRC issued a consultation document on the intermediaries legislation (IR35). The intermediaries legislation was first introduced in 2000 to combat tax avoidance through intermediaries such as personal service companies. The
See MoreUK: HMRC launches consultations on penalties for offshore non-compliance
On 16 July 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC launched consultations on penalties for non-compliance in relation to offshore income and assets. The consultation papers consider options for strengthening civil penalties for tax evasion involving hiding
See MoreUK: HMRC publishes research report on use of offshore disclosure facilities
On 15 July 2015 HMRC published a research report on behavioral factors influencing the use of offshore disclosure facilities. The research was conducted by interviews with agents handling offshore disclosure cases; in this case those involved with
See MoreUK: HMRC publishes report on small business and tax decisions
The UK tax authority HMRC has published a research report entitled Small Business and Choice, reflecting interviews held with small businesses and their views on choice in the tax system. HMRC authorized the research to be done in order to explore
See MoreUK: New budget announcements for 2015/16
On 8 July 2015 the UK government announced a further set of budget proposals for 2015/16. This summer budget 2015 follows the general election and contains revisions and additions to the original budget proposals presented in March
See MoreUK: HMRC allocates more resources to customer service functions
The UK tax administration HMRC has announced the allocation of GBP 45 million to improve aspects of its customer service functions. Three thousand additional staff are enlarging the customer service teams, as well as two thousand staff that are
See MoreUK: HMRC issues PAYE penalty notices
The UK tax authority HMRC announced on 17 June 2015 that it has issued the first in-year PAYE penalty notices to employers of fewer than fifty employees who did not send PAYE details to HMRC on time. HMRC is concentrating on the more serious
See MoreUK extends range of eligible investments for ISAs
With effect from 1 July 2015 the UK has extended the list of investments that can be held in an individual savings account (ISA), Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund (CTF). Savings in an ISA, Junior ISA or CTF are eligible for tax relief including an
See MoreUK: HMRC issues draft guidance on Scottish taxpayer status
The UK tax authority HMRC has issued for consultation draft technical guidance on the definition of a Scottish taxpayer for the application of the Scottish rate of income tax which was introduced by the Scotland Act 2012. The rate will be charged on
See MoreUK: HMRC statement on late filing penalties
The UK tax authority HMRC has issued a statement following press reports that it was not pursuing penalties for late filing of income tax returns in the case of more than 800,000 individuals in the UK. The statement from HMRC indicates that it has
See MoreUK: Double taxation agreement with Kosovo
The UK signed a double taxation agreement with Kosovo on 4 June 2015. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model. Under the agreement the withholding tax on cross-border dividends is reduced to zero, except where the dividends
See MoreUK: Penalties for late individual tax returns waived
According to UK media reports the tax authority HMRC has decided to write off the GDP 100 penalty for late filing of the individual tax return for 890,000 people. This decision reportedly relates to the individual income tax returns for the year to
See MoreUK: bad debt relief on peer to peer lending
In the Autumn Statement for 2014 delivered in December 2014 the Chancellor announced a package of measures in support of peer to peer lending and crowdfunding platforms. The reforms are intended to modernize the regulations and tax rules. One of the
See MoreUK: HMRC releases information on non-domiciled individuals
The UK tax authority HMRC has released some statistical information on non-domiciled individuals in response to a request made under the legislation on freedom of information. Individuals who are not domiciled in the UK may elect to pay UK tax on
See MoreUK government proposes legislation to freeze income tax rate
On 27 May 2015 the UK government’s legislative program for 2015/16 was announced in the traditional Queen’s Speech at the opening of parliament. The program includes proposed legislation to prohibit increases in the rates of income tax,
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