2004

Chancellor promises little change but more complexity In his pre-budget report today the Chancellor made no significant short-term changes for those on low incomes. Those he did make will not address any of the fundamental complexities of the tax, tax credit, pension credit and other welfare systems to which these new figures are to be applied. Until these complexities are addressed many people will still not receive everything to which they are entitled. 2 December 2004
Accounting for tax credits - Tax Journal article Robin Williamson, Technical Director of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG), considers why the Comptroller and Auditor General has qualified the Board’s accounts in respect of tax credits. This article was originally published in Tax Journal on 22 November 2004 and it is reprinted here with the publisher's kind permission. 24 November 2004
Tax for foster carers and adult placement carers Foster carers and adult placement carers can have a look at our website for information on how foster carers’ tax relief works and the favourable rules on the tax treatment of adult placement carers. 22 November 2004
New anti-avoidance tax threatens the innocent An obscure tax measure to be introduced next April could impose an annual tax charge on people living in their own homes who have done no more than make ordinary financial arrangements within their own families. LITRG wants the rules changed before next April so that vulnerable people on low incomes do not have to choose between paying the new tax or incurring fees to prove that they are not caught. 22 November 2004
Taxation of pre-owned assets: further consultation: LITRG response We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to the Revenue's further consultation document dated 16 August 2004. 22 November 2004
LITRG welcomes new Taxback campaign by Revenue The Revenue have announced today the start of another Taxback campaign to try and reach, by a series of publicity initiatives, the millions of low-income families who never reclaim the tax that they have overpaid. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group welcomes this move. 22 November 2004
Modernising the Tax System for Trusts - second consultation Response to consultation document "Modernising the Tax System for Trusts" issued by the Inland Revenue in August 2004 1 November 2004
DWP paper Delivering Equality for Disabled People - LITRG response The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has expressed its full support for the proposals in the Disability Discrimination Bill to impose upon public authorities the duty to promote equality for disabled people. In its response to the Department for Work and Pensions’ consultative paper ‘Delivering Equality for Disabled People’, the LITRG makes a number of recommendations. 25 October 2004
LITRG supports proposals on equality for disabled people The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has expressed its full support for the proposals in the Disability Discrimination Bill to impose upon public authorities the duty to promote equality for disabled people. In its response to the Department for Work and Pensions’ consultative paper ‘Delivering Equality for Disabled People’, the LITRG makes a number of recommendations. Among them are the following: 25 October 2004
Finance Bill Lobbying - Tax Journal article Robin Williamson, Technical Director of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, in a series of articles on the LITRG’s work, discusses the role played by the Group in Finance Bill debates in Parliament. This article was originally published in Tax Journal on 27 September 2004 and it is reprinted here with the publisher's kind permission. 18 October 2004
Revenue incapable on incapacity benefit Incapacity benefit (IB) can be a complex state benefit as far as taxation is concerned. It is essential that the tax status is understood or individuals may mistakenly declare it for tax purposes and are taxed when they should not be. Clear guidance from the Revenue is obviously important. 11 October 2004
Revenue incapable on incapacity benefit Incapacity benefit (IB) can be a complex state benefit as far as taxation is concerned. It is essential that the tax status is understood or individuals may mistakenly declare it for tax purposes and are taxed when they should not be. Clear guidance from the Revenue is obviously important. 11 October 2004
Praise to the Revenue for listening Three weeks ago we criticised the Revenue website for its Contact Us section and the difficulties in finding one’s way through to the person you need. We pointed out a range of deficiencies. Although the Revenue still have a way to go, they have been busy with changes to their website and have informed us that other points we raised will be taken up over time. We are pleased that they have listened and constructively approached our suggestions. 6 October 2004
Care needed with disability access improvements From 1 October 2004, the Disability Discrimination Act requires service providers to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises to tackle any physical features that prevent disabled people from using their services. 5 October 2004
Tax credits: tax and welfare bodies call for change The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) have joined with other tax bodies and welfare rights organisations in submitting to the Inland Revenue a list of necessary changes and improvements to the tax credits system. These measures, they say, are the minimum needed to eradicate the common difficulties which tax agents and welfare rights advisers encounter daily, and which in many cases are causing hardship, distress and anxiety to claimants. 27 September 2004
Transforming public services: complaints, redress and tribunals Comments of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) on the White Paper Cm6243 by the Department for Constitutional Affairs 22 September 2004
The Revenue being uncharitable There are over a million trustees of charities in the United Kingdom and many have one thing in common. No, not that they are selfless individuals giving of their time to help others. It is that they may be expected by the Revenue to complete a Self Assessment Return. It is not only charity trustees that find themselves in this position; it can, for example, also be directors of companies formed by tenants to buy out freeholds; or some school governors; or the sports club management committee. 21 September 2004
Contacting the Inland Revenue This article has now been updated - you can find our latest comments in our article entitled "Praise to the Revenue for listening". One of the great difficulties for many people dealing with the Inland Revenue is to find the right person who will solve their problem. The Inland Revenue have just revamped their Contact Us section on their website and we decided to see how easy it would be for the low income customer to find who they should contact with their question. 14 September 2004
New Tax Tribunals - Tax Journal article Jane Moore of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group considers the recent White Paper on tribunals reform. This article was originally published in Tax Journal on 13 September 2004 and it is reprinted here with the publisher's kind permission. 14 September 2004
Tax relief for foster carers, but doubt continues for adult carers Following the Finance Bill debates, LITRG now has an assurance that foster carers will not face any potential capital gains tax liability when they sell their home. However, for adult placement carers, the tax position remains uncertain. 2 September 2004

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