News
You have reached our two part News Archive. Previous articles can be accessed in two ways, either by going to a particular year or by scrolling down page by page. You can also go to a separate archive of Deadline and Reminder articles which aim to alert readers month by month of issues that they should consider in that particular month. Be careful how you use archive material as it will have been correct when published but as the world of tax changes so often it is unwise to rely upon it now.
- Check your 2012/13 PAYE coding notice Between mid-January and early March 2012, HMRC are issuing PAYE Coding Notices for the 2012/13 tax year. LITRG explains that you should check yours, and highlights particular points regarding ‘underpayment restrictions’ relating to tax for an earlier year. 1 February 2012
- HMRC strike leads to extended filing deadline LITRG understands that the strike action planned by some HMRC staff on 31 January is to focus particularly on their telephone contact centres. As a result, HMRC say they recognise that some Self Assessment online customers who need to talk to them on 31 January may not be able to get through on the phone. 27 January 2012
- Consolidated tax credits legislation now available for advisers Since 2002, there have been a large number of amendments to the tax credits legislation. For any advisers who need to understand the law as it applies today, the task of applying numerous pieces of amending legislation to the original versions is very time consuming and makes reliable interpretations extremely difficult. 26 January 2012
- PAYE reforms could backfire for small employers and individuals We still have significant concerns about the impacts of the next stage of PAYE reform particularly for small and very small employers and vulnerable groups such as care and support employers. 19 January 2012
- Child benefit and tax – uncomfortable bedfellows? Even if the Government solve the potential unfairness of withdrawing child benefit from a claimant immediately he, she or his or her partner or spouse becomes a higher rate taxpayer, that will still leave a host of administrative problems to resolve. At worst the new policy could spell the end of independent taxation, or become effectively a new tax on marriage. 18 January 2012
- January tax deadlines - act now! Many tax deadlines fall in January, together with some key dates for tax credits and benefits claimants. We have set out in this article some reminders to help you avoid a range of pitfalls and ensure that you receive what you are due. 6 January 2012
- Paper notifications for vehicles brought into UK We welcome the HMRC announcement on 6 December 2011, that there will be a paper alternative to the mandatory online channel for notifying road vehicles entering the UK. At the same time we question why HMRC is to make it mandatory for VAT returns to be filed online, but rules out providing any paper alternative. 20 December 2011
- LITRG welcomes new tax credits helpline For several years, LITRG have campaigned for HMRC to adopt a telephone policy that ensures their most vulnerable customers do not bear costs disproportionately. We therefore welcome HMRC’s announcement that the tax credits helpline will change to a 0345 number with immediate effect. We would like to see that policy extended to cover HMRC’s other helplines. 15 December 2011
- LITRG welcomes extension of relief for cashing in small pensions LITRG has welcomed draft legislation published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which extends the relief for cashing in small pensions valued at up to £2,000 to personal pension schemes. 12 December 2011
- ‘Digital by default’ should not mean compulsion The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has criticised HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for proposing to make it compulsory to file VAT returns online without any exceptions written into law. This follows the publication of draft legislation and HMRC’s response to a consultation in this area. 12 December 2011
- Call for HMRC to do more for unrepresented taxpayers The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has given a qualified welcome to HMRC’s response to the Tax Agent Strategy consultation, in so far as it affects those who offer their services free. 12 December 2011
- Praise for HMRC approach to treatment of ‘incapacitated persons’ The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has welcomed draft legislation published on 6 December 2011 by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) relating to the treatment of ‘incapacitated persons’ in tax legislation. 12 December 2011
- Simplified PAYE schemes going, going, gone - soon! Draft regulations published by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in November herald the phasing out of Simplified PAYE Deduction Schemes (SPDS) still used by some non-business employers. Whilst LITRG agrees that these no longer are the ‘simple’ option for PAYE calculations they once were, changing to the system used by all other employers may cause difficulties. We welcome the opportunity being offered by HMRC for all SPDS employers to give their views on how these changes will affect them. 12 December 2011
- December tax and tax credits reminders Another year is almost over. In the UK, where the tax year begins and ends in April, the end of the calendar year has less significance for tax and tax credits purposes; but before you dismiss it altogether, read on for some important reminders before the end of this month. 8 December 2011
- More tax credits cuts announced in the Autumn Statement In today’s Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that tax credits would be cut yet again in real terms in 2012/13. While the basic tax allowance will rise next year by more than inflation, the reductions in tax credits will not compensate low-income families for any fall in their tax bill. And cutting taxes will deliver only limited help to those claiming means tested benefits. 29 November 2011
- Child maintenance and use of HMRC data, continued... LITRG continues to keep an eye on child maintenance changes to the extent that proposals seek to use HMRC data for maintenance assessments. Commenting on draft regulations proposed by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC), we stress that clarity is needed as to what happens when HMRC data is considered unreliable. 22 November 2011
- Businesses must not be forced to deal with HMRC online In response to two HMRC consultations, we have said that we welcome moves to encourage businesses to communicate with the Department online. But nobody must be forced to do so - particularly if they cannot, or would find it very difficult to, use a computer or the internet. 9 November 2011
- Helping disabled people in work The Access to Work scheme is extremely valuable for those people who use it. New proposals should encourage more take-up and self-employment. However LITRG remain concerned about the lack of guidance on tax and related issues to recipients. 7 November 2011
- November tax and tax credits reminders November ushers in late autumnal gloom and long dark nights. What better time to stay indoors and review your financial affairs, making sure you are not missing any tax deadlines or losing out on any entitlements. 3 November 2011
- The future postcode lottery for help with your Council Tax Many welfare benefits are to merge into a single benefit called ‘Universal Credit’ for working-age claimants, but Council Tax Benefit is excluded from the plan. Instead, the Government proposes that each Local Authority will organise its own scheme, within some basic guidelines. LITRG foresees increased complexity, a retrograde step in plans to ‘make work pay’ and increased costs as a result. 31 October 2011
