Other News

HMRC launches online PAYE service

HMRC has launched a new online PAYE service, which it says will give 35 million workers more control over their tax affairs.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Time for taxpayers to get ready for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

Self-employed taxpayers and landlords should file their 2024/25 tax return early to find out if Making Tax Digital (MTD) will apply to them from next April, says the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

HMRC sends side hustle warning

HMRC is warning those earning extra income through a side hustle to check if they need to register for self assessment and file a tax return.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

HMRC to fine crypto investors £300 for non-disclosure

UK-based holders of cryptoassets will have to provide personal details to crypto service providers or face penalties of up to £300 from HMRC.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Criminal tax offence plan risks going too far, warns CIOT

HMRC plans to introduce a tax avoidance criminal offence risks overreach, the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has warned.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Watch out for Winter Fuel Payment scams

HMRC has issued a warning to be on high alert for scams linked to Winter Fuel Payments after receiving 15,100 reports of bogus activity in June.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

IHT on pensions most unpopular of Labour's tax increases

Inheritance Tax (IHT) on pensions is the most unpopular of the tax raising measures introduced by the Labour government during its first year, according to a survey.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Harsh personal guarantees will chill growth ambitions, warns FSB

Personal guarantees risk holding back the growth the economy needs, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

HMRC system attack is a timely reminder to keep personal data safe

Taxpayers are being urged to check their online HMRC account after scammers attempted to defraud the tax authority using individuals' data and login details.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Government should take more strategic approach to tax policy, says CIOT

The government should take a more strategic approach to tax policy, consulting earlier and giving greater thought to the design of the tax system, says Nichola Ross Martin, President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

Monday, July 7, 2025

HMRC names and shames over 500 employers for failing to pay NLW

HMRC has named and shamed over 500 UK employers for failing to pay the National Living Wage (NLW) or the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Monday, July 7, 2025

Government introduces Pension Schemes Bill

The government has introduced the Pension Schemes Bill, which it says will make pensions easier to understand and manage as well as drive better value over the long term.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Tax gap estimated at 5.3%

The tax gap estimate was 5.3% for the 2023/24 tax year, according to the latest data from HMRC.

Monday, July 7, 2025

UK government launches Industrial Strategy

The UK government is aiming to slash energy prices, unlock investment and upskill the workforce in its Industrial Strategy.

Monday, July 7, 2025

FCA in international crackdown on unlawful finfluencers

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) joined forces with eight international regulators for a week of action to combat the risks of finfluencers on social media.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Monday, July 7, 2025

HMRC launches new online help for compliance checks

HMRC has launched a new online interactive tool to help guide both businesses and individuals through tax compliance checks.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Record numbers file assessment in first week of new tax year

Almost 300,000 people filed their tax return in the first week of the new tax year, setting a new record, HMRC has revealed.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Tax and accounting bodies back e-invoicing adoption

The UK's professional tax and accounting bodies have backed the adoption of e-invoicing in their responses to a government consultation.

Monday, June 9, 2025

HMRC cuts late payment interest rate

HMRC will reduce late payment and repayment interest rates from 28 May following the 0.25% cut in the base rate earlier in the month.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Almost half of sole traders unprepared for MTD changes

Almost half of UK sole traders feel unprepared for upcoming Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax changes, according to research conducted by IRIS Software.

Monday, June 9, 2025

New cryptoasset rules aim to protect consumers

The government is introducing legislation to regulate cryptoassets and improve consumer protection for the asset class.

Monday, June 9, 2025

One in four employers plan to make redundancies in next quarter

The number of employers expecting to increase staff numbers in the next three months has fallen to a record low outside of the pandemic, according to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Monday, June 9, 2025

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 June 2025.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Sole traders and landlords get Making Tax Digital warning

Sole traders and landlords with an income over £50,000 have been warned that there is less than a year before they will be required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT).

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Loan charge review calls for evidence

The independent review into the loan charge has issued a call for evidence with examples of promotional material and marketing leaflets a priority for the review team.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Companies House begins to verify identities

A new service has been launched that allows individuals to verify their identity directly with Companies House through GOV.UK.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Chancellor unveils plans to maintain level playing field for British business

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said British businesses will be supported to trade freely as she takes action on practices that undercut fair trade, such as the dumping of cheap goods into the UK.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Tax red tape costs small businesses nearly £25 billion a year

Tax compliance costs the UK's small businesses nearly £25 billion a year, according to recent research conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Government calls time on red tape for pubs, clubs, and restaurants

Pubs, clubs and restaurants will benefit from a reduction in the red tape that has stifled hospitality business, the government said.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Government taking right approach to tariff negotiations

The UK government is taking the right approach to tariff negotiations with the US despite downgrades to the economic outlook, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Minimum wage rose on 1 April

Increases to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage took effect from 1 April.

Monday, April 7, 2025

No further tax increases in Spring Statement

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced 'no further tax increases' in the 2025 Spring Statement.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Finance Act 2025 receives Royal Assent

The first Finance Act of the Labour government has gained Royal Assent and passed into law.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Side hustle trading threshold raised to £3,000 per year

The reporting threshold for trading income for self assessment is being lifted from £1,000 to £3,000 gross within this parliament, according to the Treasury.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Financial benefit of MTD could be as high as £915 million

The financial benefits of MTD for VAT could be as high as £915 million, according to analysis carried out by HMRC.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Chancellor unveils plan to cut red tape

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled plans to cut red tape as the government aims to kickstart economic growth.

Monday, April 7, 2025

Employment reforms continue to stifle business hiring intentions

The government's employment reforms are causing employers to put their hiring plans on hold, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Monday, April 7, 2025

Government consults on mandatory e-invoicing

The government has launched a consultation on plans for the rollout of electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) in the UK.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Proposed HMRC powers to collect data on hours worked scrapped

The government has stopped controversial plans to collect information about the exact hours worked by every employee in PAYE returns.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Business tax compliance costs £15 billion a year

An increasingly complex tax system is costing UK businesses an estimated £15.4 billion a year in compliance, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO).

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Tailored tax reliefs boost alcohol sector

The government has introduced a package of support that it says will help the alcohol sector to grow.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Businesses warn of National Insurance 'powder keg'

The overwhelming majority of businesses say the rise in employers' NICs will force them to change their plans, according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Sunday, March 9, 2025

HMRC cuts late and repayment interest rates

HMRC will reduce late payment and repayment interest rates from 25 February following the cut in the base rate.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 March 2025.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Parliamentary watchdog accuses HMRC of deliberately 'degrading' phone services

Parliament's spending watchdog has accused HMRC of deliberately running down its phone services to force people to go online, according to a report.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Government commissions review of the Loan Charge

The government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

CIOT calls on government to rewrite unfair VAT rules

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is calling on the government to address unfair tax rules as interest rates on late payments rise.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Pension reforms to 'unlock billions' for government growth agenda

New rules that will give more flexibility over how occupational defined benefit pension schemes are managed, according to the government.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

UK firms expecting slowdown

UK firms are expecting to reduce both output and hiring this quarter, according to a survey conducted by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Employment plan will harm jobs, warns small firms

Small firms fear the new Employment Rights Bill will harm recruitment, according to a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

UK economy returns to growth as inflation dips

The UK economy grew for the first time in three months in November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

IMF upgrades UK's economic outlook

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded its growth forecast for the UK economy this year.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

HMRC urges self assessment taxpayers to spread the cost

HMRC is reminding people who pay tax by self assessment of the opportunity to spread the cost of their bill with the Time to Pay facility.

Monday, January 6, 2025

HMRC could save millions of hours with tracking system

HMRC could save an estimated 1.7 million hours of call handlers' time every year if it implemented an automated status tracking system, according to two of the leading bodies for tax advisers and chartered accountants.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Government launches Industrial Strategy Advisory Council

The UK government has launched a new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council which brings together business leaders from across the UK to offer advice.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Spring Statement set for 26 March

The Chancellor will deliver her Spring Statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday 26 March 2025.

Monday, January 6, 2025

UK economy shrinks for second month in a row

The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Monday, January 6, 2025

Cash usage on the rise for second successive year

Cash use in the shops rose for a second year in a row in 2023 after a decade of falls, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Monday, January 6, 2025

Over 40,000 file self assessment over the Christmas break

More than 40,000 taxpayers completed their self assessment returns over the Christmas break, according to figures from HMRC.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Permanent business rate cut for high street on the way

The government has published draft legislation to permanently cut business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 2026.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

HMRC warns landlords to disclose earnings

HMRC has warned landlords to disclose their earnings on self assessment tax returns.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

No tax changes for online sellers

People selling unwanted items online can continue to do so without any new tax obligations, HMRC has confirmed.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Business frustrated at halt in rollout of digital trade platform

Import and export businesses are frustrated by the government's decision to pause work on the digital trade platform, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Employer NICs rise may have unforeseen consequences

The extra costs of the increase in employers' NICs could cause businesses to respond in ways the government did not intend, the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has warned.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Scams warning as self assessment deadline looms

HMRC is warning of scam attempts targeting self assessment taxpayers in the run up to the 31 January deadline.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

HMRC late payment interest cut

HMRC has reduced late payment and repayment interest rates following the cut to the base rate.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Advisory fuel rates for company cars

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 December 2024.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Chancellor promises to drive growth and raises £40 billion in taxes

Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to 'invest, invest, invest' to drive growth and 'restore economic stability' in the Autumn Budget.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Autumn Budget - the business reaction

Business groups have reacted to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget speech.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

National Living Wage rises by 6.7%

Over three million workers will receive a pay boost after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the National Living Wage will increase.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

New tipping law comes into force

Businesses have been banned from withholding tips or service charges from their staff under new rules that came into force on 1 October.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Make Work Pay threatens employment and growth warns FSB

The government's Make Work Pay Bill lacks a pro-growth element and will increase economic inactivity, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

New Growth and Skills Levy must end 'cycle of failure'

The new Growth and Skills Levy must end the 'cycle of policy failure' in addressing Britain's chronic skills shortages, according to the Resolution Foundation.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

10,000 boost State Pension with online payments

More than 10,000 payments worth £12.5 million have been made through a new digital service to boost people's state pension, HMRC has revealed.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Latest guidance for employers

HMRC has published the latest issue of the Employer Bulletin.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

IPSE calls for fairer off-payroll rules in Budget

The Chancellor should use her Autumn Budget to make off-payroll working rules 'fairer and more effective', according to the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE).

Monday, October 7, 2024

Billion-pound tax bombshell to hit hospitality, warns trade body

The end of business rates relief will sting hospitality with a £928 million bill in April unless the government acts in the Budget, warns UKHospitality.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Reforms to IHT, CGT and NI 'could raise over £20 billion a year'

The Resolution Foundation has suggested that reforms to inheritance tax (IHT), capital gains tax (CGT) and national insurance (NI) could raise more than £20 billion a year.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Government announces apprenticeship reforms

The government has announced an overhaul of the UK's apprenticeship system.

Monday, October 7, 2024

HMRC urged to take action to defuse side hustle time bomb

HMRC has been urged to defuse a tax bombshell threatening online traders, by the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Monday, October 7, 2024

£5.5 billion lost as a result of tax evasion

An estimated £5.5 billion was lost due to tax evasion during 2022/23, according to a report published by the National Audit Office (NAO).

Monday, October 7, 2024

Young people reminded to reclaim government savings

Over half a million young people are yet to lay claim to Child Trust Funds worth an average of £2,212, HMRC has said.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Government cracks down on late payments

The government has announced a crackdown on late payments to small businesses and the self-employed.

Monday, October 7, 2024