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The TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) have produced a 'Green Calculator' to help taxpayers find out how much they have paid in green taxes and regulations in the last year. Introducing the calculator, TPA Research Director Matthew Sinclair commented: "There is an important debate to be had about the appropriate level that green taxes should be set at.  At the TaxPayers' Alliance, we've investigated the issue with earlier reports and concluded that green taxes are set higher than they should be, based ... Continue Reading

Matthew Hutton MA, CTA (fellow), AIIT, TEP, presenter of Monthly Tax Review (MTR), outlines a potential problem arising from the statutory rules for trustee residence.ContextIn 2007/08 the statutory rule for trustee residence was aligned with income tax (TCGA 1992 s 69 as amended).  Hitherto a body of trustees was treated as being UK resident and ordinarily resident unless: (a) the general administration of the trust was ordinarily carried on outside the UK; and(b) the trustees or a majority of ... Continue Reading

Steve Allen of VAT Advisers Ltd asks how useful HMRC's clearance service is likely to be in practice.One year on...In April 2008, HMRC introduced a new system of non-statutory clearances for businesses. The new system has been running almost a year now, and this article takes a close look at how it has been working. At the time of introduction, a new Notice 700/6 (April 2008) was produced to help business get used to the new system. It did not start well, as it stated the following:‘This notice ... Continue Reading

Mothers-to-be can now claim a tax-free cash bonus of £190.The new Health in Pregnancy Grant (HiPG) is a one-off payment intended to help pregnant mothers stay fit and healthy in the run up to the birth, and help meet some of the costs as the big day approaches. Commenting on the new grant, Yvette Cooper, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said "Every month around 65,000 women in the UK celebrate the birth of a new child. And with the introduction of the baby grant mums-to-be can now get extra help ... Continue Reading

HMRC have confirmed that during 2009 their bank account details are changing.Practitioners will need to use these new account details when making a payment to HMRC. The account details for Stamp Duty Land Tax have already changed and can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payinghmrc/stamp-land.htm.   Continue Reading

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) looks towards the 2009/10 tax year and provides some tips and pointers. IntroductionWith the 2009/10 tax year having begun on 6 April, now is the time to take stock of what you need to do to start off the new year on the right footing. So make your resolution to sort out forms and papers – the earlier the better!For somewhat obscure and historic reasons, the UK tax year ends on 5 April; so this is a key date in the calendar for tax, tax credits and some ... Continue Reading

HMRC have issued a timely reminder to employers to file their employer annual return by the 19 May deadline, or face a late-filing penalty.HMRC are also reminding large employers, with 50 or more employees, that they must file their 2008/09 employer annual return online, or they could face an additional penalty.Smaller employers, with fewer than 50 employees, can still file their return on paper, but those who file online will qualify for a £75 tax-free payment.To file online, employers must first ... Continue Reading

The Chartered Institute of Taxation is moving offices.From Monday 20 April 2009 the Institute's contact details will be as follows:The Chartered Institute of Taxation1st FloorArtillery House11 – 19 Artillery RowLondonSW1P 1RT(Office entrance on north side)Tel:       +44 (0)844 579 6700Fax:      +44 (0)844 579 6701Email:   post@ciot.org.ukWeb:    www.tax.org.uk  Continue Reading

Tax Barrister Keith Gordon, MA (Oxon) FCA CTA (Fellow), has made an appeal to HMRC under Finance Act 2008, Schedule 36, against the 'service company' question on the 2009-10 self assessment tax return.This question will be of interest to anyone working in pracitce, and indeed to anyone affected by the 'service company' (also known as the IR35) legislation. Keith has kindly provided TaxationWeb with a copy of his letter for publication on our website.The letter reads as follows:"HM Revenue & Customs7 ... Continue Reading

John Andrews of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group highlights potential good and bad news for pensioners.IntroductionSome pensioners are to receive letters any day now telling them that small pensions which they have received for a number of years have not been taxed properly and that this will be corrected from this April.Although this will be unwelcome news for those who receive such a letter, it is actually very good news that there will be no attempt to tax the past.BackgroundAt last the long-running ... Continue Reading