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… Read more…

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… Read more…

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… Read more…

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… Read more…

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… Read more…

The amount needed for a single person to have a moderate retirement has risen to £31,300, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA). The rising cost of living and an increased importance on socialising following the pandemic had pushed up the income required by £8,000, the PLSA said. The PLSA uses evidence from… Read more…

Just a week after HMRC released new guidance that classed double-cab pickups as cars rather than vans, the government reversed the decision. On 19 February, HMRC confirmed that it’s reversing the updated guidance announced on 12 February, meaning that double-cab pickups will continue to be treated as goods vehicles rather than cars. The government said… Read more…

HMRC is warning people to be wary of bogus tax refund offers following the self assessment deadline on 31 January. The tax authority says that fraudsters could set their sights on self assessment taxpayers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month’s deadline. HMRC warns that taxpayers who completed their tax… Read more…

Over one million self assessment taxpayers missed the filing deadline at midnight on 31 January, according to data published by HMRC. A record 11.5 million taxpayers did file their 2022/23 self assessment tax returns by the deadline. HMRC’s figures also showed that 1.1 million missed the deadline. The final day saw 778,068 beat the clock… Read more…

  HMRC has published guidance on the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) requirements for sole traders and landlords. MTD for ITSA will require businesses and landlords with qualifying income to maintain digital records and update HMRC each quarter via compatible software.   In the guidance, HMRC stated that MTD… Read more…