News

HMRC’s performance management set-up could lead to a system of “payment by results” for some members of staff, Taxation has learned.

The Revenue has always denied that its employees receive bonuses for hitting targets of tax collected, but Taxation understands that some line managers are using the figures to justify grades they have given team members.

HMRC are to have new powers that make it easier for the department to prosecute people who hide money offshore.

The introduction of the offence of failing to declare taxable offshore income will mean any person with undeclared foreign income can face criminal action, even if they did not intend to evade taxes.

The Revenue currently must demonstrate intent, but the change of law will require the department to show only that income was undeclared and taxable and undeclared.

HMRC have introduced revised transitional rules following the axing of VAT concessions for the construction of student accommodation and dining halls and kitchens for students and school pupils.

The construction of a building intended for use solely for a relevant residential purpose is zero rated, as is  the first grant of a major interest in such a building by the constructor. The user must provide a certificate to the builder or developer as evidence that the building is intended to be used solely – at least 95% - for a relevant residential purpose.

HMRC’s has launched its latest anti-evasion campaign, targeting workers with second incomes.

The department is offering a disclosure opportunity to employees who are resident in the UK and have additional income from self-employment, which the tax authority suggests could include:

HMRC are in the process of updating their generic notification service (GNS), with the aim of keep employers up to date with real-time information (RTI) requirements.

The first of the retooled messages for 2014/15 concerns late filing: employers will not necessarily receive a notification in every instance in which it occurs, and there is no need to contact the Revenue if an anticipated GNS message has not been received.

Correcting a tax code

HMRC have not issued P2 coding notices for 2014/15 to taxpayers if their tax was unchanged. Taxpayers need only contact the department if their circumstances have changed. The Revenue will update its records and issue a new code in the usual way. Read more information.

End of year summary due by 19 April

There is no evidence that the global corporate tax base is falling to pieces as the result of aggressive avoidance by multinationals, according to an academic study carried out on behalf of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Authorised tax agents can now use a single spreadsheet to register ten or more partners in a limited liability partnership (LLP) for self assessment and National Insurance, rather than having to fill in individual forms SA401 or SA402.

The nominated partner must sign the spreadsheet, which has to be completed in a font no smaller than 12 point Times New Roman.

The information to be included depends on which of four types partner is involved, but the LLP’s name, address and unique taxpayer reference should be supplied in all cases.

Members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) are to get their own HMRC helpline aimed at providing answers about alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – but only for a day.

The dedicated service will be offered by the Revenue at the end of this month, on a date yet to be confirmed, with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the ADR system.

The revenue from HMRC’s Liechtenstein disclosure facility (LDF) is likely to fall significantly short of its £3bn target, according to solicitors Irwin Mitchell.

The expected yield was £1bn at the initiative’s launch in September 2009, but the Revenue tripled the forecast after raising £140m in the first 19 months.

The government is set to extend its radical plan to remove the main residence election for non-UK residents, according to a leading tax specialist.

Adviser and author Kevin Slevin learned from the Treasury that a mooted shake-up of the capital gains tax regime relating to property will affect all homeowners from April 2015.