Small business users of the VAT Flat Rate Scheme who have low costs may see the rate they pay drastically increase under new changes. The Flat Rate Scheme was created to simplify businesses’ record keeping, by making it easier for smaller companies to figure out their bill. VAT is usually calculated via a two stage… Read more…

The most significant announcement at last month’s Autumn Statement was possibly the announcement that this would be the last Autumn Statement. Leading professionals have long made the case for a move to a single fiscal event and this was referenced by the Chancellor in the statement. The Chancellor said: “This change will allow for greater… Read more…

Ahead of the 2016 Autumn Statement there were rumours that the Chancellor Philip Hammond might limit the perks offered to employees by their employers. However, it soon became clear that he was out to prevent any tax advantage from salary sacrifice schemes when he announced that from April 2017 any tax and employer national insurance… Read more…

With the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, announcing his first Autumn Statement on 23rd November, all eyes will undoubtedly be on him to discover what changes, if any, he will bring to the Treasury. Will he focus all his efforts on economic plans for the country post-Brexit, or will he also make changes to personal tax and,… Read more…

A trio of influential organisations has urged the Chancellor to implement a series of reforms to the tax policymaking process. The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and The Institute for Government (IfG) jointly called on the Chancellor to make five key changes to the process: Publicly state the guiding principles… Read more…

The ten year window during which 100 per cent relief can be claimed under the BPRA on the renovation or conversion of unused commercial property for business use is drawing to a close on 31 March 2017. The allowance, which has attracted controversy in the past after being exploited illegally by a number of tax… Read more…

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has issued a warning to businesses about the need to put measures in place to avoid falling victim to cyber crime. In its Audit Insights: Cyber Security report, the organisation warns that while businesses have a good awareness of the risks around cyber crime, this… Read more…

Official statistics have shown that the UK tax gap fell to its lowest-ever level of 6.5 per cent in 2014/15, as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) intensifies its crackdown on tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance. HMRC has made significant progress in reducing the tax gap – the difference between the amount of tax due and… Read more…

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released a list of priorities to allow for real time adjustments to taxpayer’s tax codes so that they pay the right amount of tax within the current tax year, as part of their ongoing Making Tax Digital (MTD) campaign. The plans, which HMRC intends to implement in the 2017-18… Read more…