According to business groups, new business rates legislation (proposed in the Government’s Enterprise Bill) will increase the administrative burden on small firms and act as a “barrier to justice” for businesses seeking to appeal. The bill contains three new measures which have all been criticised for “riding roughshod” over the needs of UK businesses. Small… Read more…

UK contractors have been warned to steer clear of loan schemes using offshore trusts that promise to reduce their income tax bill. Workers paid through these contested structures before 2011 had until the end of September to resolve disputes worth £430 million with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and now face the threat of steeper… Read more…

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has come under fire for the use of so-called ‘nudge’ letters sent by its Behavioural Insights Team. Letters are being sent directly to individuals that are involved in tax disputes instead of via their lawyers or accountants. The language in the letters is used in such a way as to… Read more…

The government has issued a reminder that for a limited period starting in October, certain people will be able to make extra national insurance contributions to top up their state pension. Between 12 October 2015 and 5 April 2017, men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953 will be able… Read more…

Legislation is to be introduced making it easier to prosecute employers who know or suspect that someone they employ has no right to work in the UK. The Home Office announced on 25 August that measures to be included in a new Immigration Bill could close businesses down for up to 48 hours while employers… Read more…

The government is seeking views on whether decision-making on Sunday trading should be devolved to local authorities and elected mayors. In a consultation launched on 5 August and running until 16 September, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills said: “There are many factors to consider in deciding whether to extend Sunday trading hours and… Read more…

A new HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) task force is to target people in Scotland who appear to be living beyond their means. HMRC said on 3 August that the team of specialist officers expected to recover an extra £4.5 million by identifying wealth indicators – such as large houses, investments, aeroplanes, boats and undeclared… Read more…

The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) says guidance on the new Dividend Allowance will come as a “shock” to taxpayers. Under current arrangements, basic rate taxpayers pay no tax on dividends received. Higher and additional rate taxpayers pay tax at 25 per cent and 30.55 per cent respectively on dividend income. But in the Summer… Read more…

Businesses are to be freed from a ban on using invoice finance in contracts, the government has confirmed. Invoice financing – in which a third party agrees to buy unpaid invoices for a fee – can provide a valuable source of funds in the interval between completing work and receiving payment for it. More than… Read more…

The government has launched new reviews designed to slash red tape in five key industry sectors. The reviews, announced by Business Secretary Sajid Javid announced on 16 July, are part of a government commitment to axe unnecessary regulation and its poor implementation by a further £10 billion by 2020. They will focus on the energy,… Read more…