2010

National Insurance credits changes - LITRG response Do you know all (or any) of the circumstances under which you can get a credit towards state benefits without paying a national insurance contribution? Well, neither did we know them all. But how can you check whether you are receiving what you are entitled to? This and other questions we want to see addressed as the Department for Work and Pensions consults on National Insurance ’credits’. 1 December 2010
Phasing out the default retirement age - LITRG response The Government recently consulted on proposals which will prevent employers, except perhaps in exceptional circumstances, from forcing employees to retire at age 65. This is of course coupled with confirmation in the recent Spending Review to step up the escalation in state pension age for both men and women to 66 by 2020. LITRG makes a number of points in response as to the impact of the line between working and retirement age becoming increasingly blurred. 4 November 2010
Universal credit consultation - LITRG response The benefits system is to undergo its biggest overhaul for a generation with the replacement of many existing tax credits and benefits with one Universal Credit. 4 November 2010
LITRG submits evidence to MPs on spending review LITRG has submitted written evidence to the Treasury Committee of the House of Commons for its inquiry on the spending review. 2 November 2010
Draft legislation for Equitable Liability concession – LITRG comments HMRC originally proposed to withdraw their concessionary practice known as ‘Equitable Liability’, which provides a ‘relief of last resort’ in cases where taxpayers – particularly the vulnerable – have failed to engage with the tax system and built up tax arrears. They have, however, in response to pressure from stakeholders including LITRG, agreed to abandon their plans to withdraw the concession and instead they are going to make it law. A welcome change of heart. 2 November 2010
PAYE improvement consultation - LITRG response In late July, HMRC published a ‘discussion document’ inviting views on suggested future reform of the PAYE system, with the aim of reshaping it to fit today’s working and pension patterns. Whilst we welcome the opening of discussions in this area, we do so with a note of caution – HMRC must ensure that systems are ready, data is clean and that robust processes are in place before moving forward. 25 September 2010
Scale of costs in successful court actions for debt in England and Wales - LITRG response In the summer, HMRC issued a technical discussion document setting out a proposed scale of fixed costs they intend to claim where they successfully pursue debts via the courts in England and Wales. Our response highlights where we feel safeguards are required – particularly for debtors who genuinely can’t pay. 23 September 2010
Tax policy making - LITRG response to consultation At the time of the June Budget, the Treasury and HMRC jointly published a consultation document inviting views on the processes behind devising future tax policy.LITRG’s response focuses on how individuals’ voices can be heard and encourages government to focus more on those who currently struggle to be heard. 21 September 2010
Contact centres EQIA - LITRG response Across government pressure mounts to save costs. And as part of a review of frontline services, HMRC now propose to shorten helpline opening hours. 1 July 2010
LITRG response to Right to Control Trailblazer Regulations consultation Disabled people who take up the option of an individual budget which they then choose to spend according to their needs can get caught up in the tax system, for example as employers of their carers. LITRG has therefore called for tightening of draft regulations for ‘trailblazer’ local authority pilots to ensure that there is clear responsibility to provide tax help and support. 16 June 2010
EQIA Enquiry centres consultation - LITRG response HMRC have been cutting back on their face to face service for several years now with the result that we are left with ever fewer Enquiry Centres. And those that remain frequently do not provide so valuable a service to HMRC’s vulnerable customers as once they did.There are now plans to ‘reshape’ the service further so that many people will either miss out on vital support or turn to the voluntary sector for help. 10 June 2010
Travel expenses and NMW - LITRG response Allowing travel expenses against income is a difficult area generally, but particularly for the low-paid due to the interactions of tax, National Insurance, National Minimum Wage and means-tested benefits. Responding to a recent Government consultation, LITRG argues for a comprehensive review of the rules. 13 May 2010
HMRC consultation on offshore tax evasion - LITRG response Whilst acknowledging that overseas tax matters can be complicated, a recent HMRC consultation suggested that anyone getting them wrong should be penalised as if they had deliberately set out to commit tax fraud. 29 March 2010
Working with tax agents consultation - LITRG response As HMRC propose new powers to tackle perceived ‘deliberate wrongdoing’ by tax agents, LITRG again asks them to give more thought to the wider issues of working with various kinds of intermediary other than just tax professionals. 17 March 2010
DWP consultation on housing benefit reform - LITRG response A recent DWP consultation on housing benefit reform discusses how claimants can be supported as they move off benefit and into work. Whilst the objectives are commendable, LITRG urges cross-working with HMRC to ensure that tax and tax credits interactions are fully considered. 4 March 2010
Dealing with the tax obligations of older people - LITRG response The influential Public Accounts Committee have called for change in how HMRC deal with the tax affairs of pensioners. LITRG has been calling for such change for many years; might this now be the time when something is done? 27 February 2010

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