UK: National audit office reports unrecovered tax debt of GBP15.1bn
National audit office of UK has reported that that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is owed at least GBP15.1bn in unpaid debt. The report also adds that the Government should revise this responsibility and thus the recovery of tax credit over payments
See MoreUK: publishes draft legislation to eliminate stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
HMRC has published for consultation a draft Statutory Instrument and a Tax Information and Impact Note on 17 February 2014. It was intended to abolish of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax on transfers of interests in Exchange Traded Funds
See MoreDTA between UK and Albania entered into force
The Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between UK and Albania has entered into force on December 30, 2013. The agreement follows the OECD Model Convention. It sets out reduced withholding tax rates as follows: 5 percent on dividends for companies
See MoreUK refuses to reduce tourism VAT rate
The UK Government has refused to reduce tourism VAT rate with an argument that there is no connection between tax subsidies and the number of tourist. The Members of Parliament who supported the proposal of reducing VAT on tourism have said that the
See MoreUnited Kingdom and Anguilla sign protocol to TIEA
An exchange of letters and amending protocol to the Anguilla - United Kingdom Exchange of Information Agreement (2009) was signed between Anguilla and the United Kingdom on 13 December 2013 in London and on 20 December 2013 in Anguilla. The
See MoreUK announces termination of DTA with Tajikistan
The United Kingdom has announced that it will terminate its double tax arrangements with Tajikistan for profits arising on or after April 1, 2014, in the case of corporation tax; and for income and gains arising on or after April 6, 2014, in the
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Supreme Court addresses cross-border group losses
The UK Supreme Court on 19 February 2014 issued its judgment relating to three remaining issues in the Marks & Spencer case—i.e., the case addressing a cross-border group relief claims. The Court found that the conditions for the “no
See MoreProtocol between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands is in force
The DTA Protocol signed between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands entered into force on January 31, 2014. The provisions of the Protocol have effect: in the United Kingdom: in respect of income tax and capital gains tax, for any year of
See MoreUK and Zambia sign a DTA
On 4 February 2014 the United Kingdom (UK) and Zambia signed a Double Taxation Agreement. The Agreement will replace the existing Double Taxation Agreement between the UK and Zambia which was signed in 1972. The new agreement generally follows the
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Tax compliance by suppliers under government contracts
The Cabinet Office has published a slightly revised version of the UK government’s procurement policy note, with measures to promote tax compliance. The note provides guidance on the government's policy on the use of the procurement process to
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Proposals related to tax disputes and identifying scheme promoters
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued consultation documents which include proposals for taxpayers to make accelerated payment of tax that is in dispute or subject to enquiry and for identifying “promoters” of tax avoidance schemes. The
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Councils to Retain Tax Revenues from Shale Gas Developments
On 13 January 2014, the UK Prime Minister announced that the local councils in the U.K. that approve shale gas developments will be able to retain 100 percent of business rates collected from local shale gas sites, doubling the current 50 percent
See MoreUnited Kingdom: Partnerships, tax policy
To inquire into the draft Finance Bill 2014 as published on 10 December 2013 the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has established a Finance Bill sub-committee. The sub-committee will focus on two areas: The draft clauses relating to the
See MoreUnited Kingdom – New DTA with China effective
The Income Tax Treaty between China and the United Kingdom entered into force on 13 December 2013. The new tax treaty replaces the 1984 income tax treaty between the United Kingdom and China and is effective beginning 2014. The new treaty provides
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Foreign income dividend claims
In a recent ruling, the England and Wales Court of Appeal issued a decision concerning the time limits for making foreign income dividend (FID) claims and “Manninen claims” in a test case for the FID and Tax Credit Group Litigation. The Court of
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Derivative contracts and anti-avoidance legislation
On 23 January 2014, draft legislation amending the rules for derivative contracts was updated by adding an anti-avoidance provision which disregards debits and credits arising from arrangements to transfer profits between group companies. The
See MoreRevised China-United Kingdom DTA enters into force
An income tax treaty between China and the United Kingdom entered into force on 13 December 2013, and is effective from 2014. The new treaty replaces the 1984 treaty between the two countries and provides for lower rates of dividend and royalties
See MoreUnited Kingdom: Dispute resolution, CFC financing, investment “white list”
HM Revenue & Customs have updated some key documents regarding resolution of tax disputes, and have provided new guidance on CFCs. The dispute resolution documents are the Code of Governance for resolving tax disputes; and Commentary on the
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