Since 2017, HMRC has captured millions of callers’ voice data on its Voice ID system by encouraging the caller to say a key phrase instead of the conventional password to gain access to their accounts. However, non-profit organisation Big Brother Watch warns that people have been ‘railroaded into a mass ID scheme by the back door’ and has reported HMRC to the Information Commi ...

New probate fees, due to come into force from April 2019, will see a banded system of probate fees for all estates valued over £50,000. Currently a flat fee of £155 is payable upon a probate application made by an accountant (as an authorised provider of probate services) or £215 for an application made by an individual. These fees were set in 2014 and raise £45m per year, whi ...

HMRC is urging VAT-registered UK businesses which trade exclusively with the EU to be prepared for a no deal Brexit. In a letter sent to 145,000 affected businesses, HMRC explains changes to Customs, Excise and VAT procedures in the ‘unlikely event’ that the UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal. HMRC’s letter advises businesses to take three actions ahead of ‘Brexit Day’ on ...

HMRC have updated the list of deliberate tax defaulters. The list contains details of taxpayers who have received penalties either for: deliberate errors in their tax returns deliberately failing to comply with their tax obligations HMRC may publish information about a deliberate tax defaulter where an investigation has been carried out and the taxpayer has been charged ...

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is reminding employers that from 6 April 2019, the amount that will need to be paid into a workplace pension will increase to an overall minimum of 8%, with employers contributing at least 3% of this total amount. TPR is now starting to write to all employers to remind them of their duties. TRP website provides further information on the increases ...

The CCEW has issued an alert to charities following a National Fraud Intelligence Bureau alert highlighting the insider threat from fraudsters and cyber criminals. Research from the CCEW published earlier in the year found that in the vast majority of cases where fraud was committed in charities, the primary enabling factor was the lack of appropriate internal controls in place ...

HMRC is reminding employees that they may be able to claim a tax rebate on their work related expenses. HMRC estimate that millions of employees, particularly those working in the service industry, could be entitled to a tax refund. Workers, including nurses, hairdressers, construction workers and those working in retail and food sectors, may be able to claim tax rebates. Indi ...

The government has decided not to pursue plans to develop a joint CCEW and HMRC portal for charity registrations. The rules at present require charities to register with the CCEW and then again with HMRC for Gift Aid and other purposes. The plan (announced back in 2013)was to streamline this process to reduce the burden on charities and improve information sharing. However,hav ...

Some employers may wish to give a small gift to their employees. As long as the employer meets the relevant conditions, no tax charge will arise on the employee. A tax exemption is available which should help employers ensure that the benefits provided are exempt and do not result in a reportable employee benefit in kind. In order for the benefit to be exempt it must satisfy t ...

According to statistics published by HMRC more than 180,500 first-time buyers have benefitted from First Time Buyers Relief (FTBR). The relief introduced in November 2017 has saved eligible first-time buyers an estimated total amount of more than £426 million. Mel Stride MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: ‘These statistics show that the government was right to off ...