HMRC

Jun 10

Taxpayers spend total of 800 years waiting to speak to HMRC

UK taxpayers spent the equivalent of 800 years on hold to HMRC in 2022/23, according to a report published by the National Audit Office (NAO). The report found that funding pressures, job cuts and a push to reduce costs by encouraging people to manage their tax affairs online had all led to a poor call-handling […]

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HMRC error

HMRC error means self-employed workers could lose out on state pension

An HMRC error could mean that some low-income, self-employed workers lose out on their entitlement to National Insurance-related benefits like the state pension, warns the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG). The issue centres around the payment of voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) that can be made by self-employed taxpayers with profits under £6,725. […]

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build trust blog

Next government will need to build trust between HMRC and self-employed

The next government must take a direct hand in rebuilding trust between HMRC and the self-employed, according to the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). The call is part of IPSE’s manifesto for the General Election on 4 July. Under its proposals, a Cabinet minister would be charged with directly overseeing the tax […]

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May 07

Latest guidance for employers May 2024

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin. The March issue has information on various topics, including:   •         PAYE Settlement Agreement payment •         reporting expenses and benefits for the tax year ending 5 April 2024 •         mandating the payrolling of benefits in kind from April 2026 •         PAYE tax calculator •         basis […]

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HMRC launches online voluntary NICs payment service

HMRC has launched a new online voluntary NICs payment service. The government says the new service will make it easier for customers to check for and fill any gaps in their National Insurance record to help increase their State Pension. It also said that the new Check your State Pension service has been enhanced to […]

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hmrc clarifies blog

HMRC clarifies tax rules for WFH commuting

HMRC has updated guidance on when tax relief is available on travel expenses for staff who work from home. The tax authority is responding to the growth of flexible or hybrid basis working contracts, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. HMRC confirmed that ‘under such arrangements, the employee will have a base office and journeys from […]

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government urged blog

Government urged to implement reforms to R&D tax system

The government is being urged to implement reforms to the Research and Development (R&D) tax relief system in order to avoid hurting small companies by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. A report released by the Chamber found that recent changes by HMRC and a ‘wild west’ regulatory system in regard to who can act as […]

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ir53 reforms blog

IR35 reforms taking their toll on skilled contractors

One in ten highly skilled freelancers are currently out of work due to the impact of reforms to IR35 tax legislation, according to research published by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). IPSE’s survey of more than 1,300 contractors in highly skilled roles found that 21% are not currently working, with half […]

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mtd for income blog

MTD for Income Tax pilot now live

HMRC’s pilot scheme for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is now live. Accountants, agents and individuals are able to sign up to the pilot and test the programme out. The pilot aims to assess the MTD for ITSA reporting environment, with an initial focus on those who are self-employed […]

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Apr 08

The National Minimum Wage is the single most successful economic policy in a generation, says think tank

The introduction of the UK’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) in 1999 is the single most successful economic policy in a generation, according to the Resolution Foundation. The NMW has increased the pay of the UK’s lowest paid workers by £6,000 a year compared to their earnings simply rising in line with typical wages, says a […]

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HMRC’s services having a negative impact on SME productivity

The productivity and efficiency of SMEs is suffering as a result of poor HMRC services, according to members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). In a survey of ACCA members, 66% said that poor HMRC services were having a negative impact on their clients, with small businesses ‘bearing the brunt’ of this issue. […]

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Bank holds interest rates as inflation and economy show improvement

The Bank of England held interest rates at 5.25% despite continued falls in the rate of inflation and a return for growth for the UK economy in January. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by eight to one to hold the base rate at 5.25%, the fifth month in a row that it has […]

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New HMRC R&D tax relief guidance ‘could be clearer’, says ICAEW

New guidance from HMRC on Research and Development (R&D) tax relief ‘could be clearer’, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). HMRC’s draft guidance covers the restriction applying for contractor payments and payments for externally provided workers (EPWs) where the R&D activity takes place overseas; and the new rules for […]

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Business groups say challenges remain despite encouraging Budget

The UK’s business groups warned that challenges remain despite the Chancellor delivering an encouraging Spring Budget. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said that while the cut to NICs would ‘boost jobs’ it had failed to ‘shift the dial’ for business. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: ‘Following the Autumn Statement this Budget was […]

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Jeremy Hunt cuts NICs again in the Spring Budget

The Chancellor made further changes to National Insurance contributions (NICs) following the cuts made in the Autumn Statement 2023. The rates for NICs will be cut by two percentage points for both employees and the self-employed from 6 April 2024. This will see Class 1 employee NICs reduced from 10% to 8% from 6 April […]

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Relief at HMRC’s reversal of helpline closures

HMRC’s decision to halt its plans to restrict taxpayer helplines and direct people to online services instead has been met with relief by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The tax authority had announced that it was closing its self assessment helpline for six months every year. It was also restricting the opening times of […]

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Mar 07

Spring Budget March 6th. 2024

This Summary covers the key tax changes announced in the Chancellor’s speech and includes tables of the main rates and allowances. At the back of the Summary you will find a calendar of the tax year with important deadline dates shown. We recommend that you review your financial plans regularly as some aspects of the […]

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Advisory fuel rates for company cars March 2024

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 March 2024. The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on […]

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Latest guidance for employers March 2024

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin. The February issue has information on various topics, including: 2024 National Insurance contributions rate changes end of year reporting basis period reform simplifying the reporting of income tax and National Insurance contributions on benefits in kind Help for Households upcoming changes to Paternity Leave and […]

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More than 500 firms named and shamed for underpaying staff

The government has named and shamed over 500 UK employers for underpaying their employees. 524 businesses were named for failing to pay the minimum wage to pay 172,000 workers, with offending employers ordered to pay nearly £16 million plus an additional financial penalty. The National Living Wage (NLW) is set to rise to £11.44 an […]

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