Enter Your E-mail

Criminal gangs are targeting taxpayers with thousands of scam emails offering bogus tax refunds. The online attacks, known as ‘phishing’, have peaked during July leading to increased reports of fraud to HMRC.The scams tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so that the fictitious tax refund can be paid out. HMRC are warning customers about the possible dangers of falling for this scam during this phase of increased attacks on UK residents.All customers ... Continue Reading

A new report published by the TaxPayers' Alliance argues that Government tax changes will reduce the incentives to become an entrepreneur.IntroductionThere is rightly increasing political and popular concern about unemployment. In response, parties are putting in place or proposing new schemes to provide specific incentives for employers to take people off the unemployment register or take on new interns and apprentices.These policies do little to encourage the new firms that create the vast majority ... Continue Reading

HMRC offers TaxationWeb’s student community some guidance on paying the right amount of tax when they have a job, and on how to reclaim tax which has been overpaid.IntroductionYou probably think that tax is a bit dull. And you’re probably right. But it is less dull when you realise that there is money to be saved by completing a simple form or by making a claim if you have paid too much tax.If you're a student and have a job, you have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance like everyone else ... Continue Reading

John Andrews of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group gives some timely advice about what to do if you have received too much Tax Credit.Tax Credit OverpaymentsThe amount outstanding in tax credit overpayments at April 2008, according to the latest available statistics, was estimated to be around £1 billion. At the same date, more than one million tax credit awards were overpaid. Some overpayments arise because of the normal operation of the system but a large proportion happen because of errors. Some ... Continue Reading

Andrew Needham, Director of VAT Specialists Ltd, highlights a further selection of recent VAT case decisions.Tribunal Allows Zero-Rate for Alteration of a Listed Building This was an appeal against HMRC’s decision not to accept the zero-rating of building works supplied under VATA 1994 Sch 8 Group 6 Item 2 (i.e., works to listed buildings). Interestingly, the appeal was not made by the supplier of the services, but by the recipient, who incurred and suffered the VAT cost on those supplies. Item ... Continue Reading

In response to a request by TaxationWeb for help and guidance for those in our taxpayer community who may have fallen behind with their tax affairs, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has produced the following article to assist. IntroductionAre you self-employed or running your own business? Do you find tax issues daunting? Whether you’re a potential entrepreneur or someone who freelances to make ends meet, it is important that rather than hide your head in the sand you get in touch with HM Revenue & ... Continue Reading

Ex-HMRC employee Tom Casagranda outlines research techniques used by HMRC for the purposes of detecting undeclared rental income.IntroductionIn my previous article, HMRC Enquiry Selection, I highlighted how I located various cases for compliance purposes. The main purpose of this article is to highlight HMRC's pursuit of the landlord.Newspapers as a Research SourcePrimarily, my main mode of research was via the newspapers. The local newspaper, in my case the Reading Chronicle, would showcase planning ... Continue Reading

Steve Allen, Director of VAT Advisers Ltd, highlights a selection of recent VAT case decisions.Tribunal says Sale of Cold Sandwiches Next to Shared Seats was Not 'Catering'The case concerned the Appellant’s appeal against a ruling by HMRC that cold food sold by the Appellant should be standard-rated. The disputed supplies were the ‘made to order’ cold sandwiches sold from Subway kiosks in three different food courts. The Appellant argued that the seating areas next to the kiosks were not ‘premises’ ... Continue Reading

HMRC bank account details for payments of VAT changed from 8 July 2009.For payments made by BACs Direct, Internet/telephone banking or CHAPS, HMRC is using the bank Citi and the new bank account details can be found online at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payinghmrc/vat.htm.HMRC are working closely with the banking industry to ensure their systems are updated to reflect the new VAT bank account details. However businesses should be aware that not all banks will be able to make the changes immediately and ... Continue Reading

HMRC have published a consultation document entitled Extra-statutory Concessions - Second Technical Consultation on Draft Legislation, which examines the draft legislation needed to give legislative effect to a number of ESCs following the House of Lords decision in the Wilkinson case.The Wilkinson case made clear that the scope of HMRC’s administrative discretion to make concessions that depart from the strict statutory provision is not as wide as previously thought.The purpose of the consultation ... Continue Reading