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British taxpayers are missing out on a potential total of £5.5 billion in savings because they are not aware of the tax reliefs given by HMRC on pensions, according to a new study.

MARTIN WILSON reviews HMRC's recent consultation document on proposed changes to the system of capital allowances

MIKE TRUMAN looks at the legitimate reasons for having cash deposited in an overseas account

Powerful wife

A Scottish case concerned whether or not the widow had an interest in possession in settled property. The husband had transferred certain securities and investments to the trustees of an inter vivos trust created for his wife in 1962. He died in 1981, and up to that time the income from the trust had been regarded by the Revenue as that of the husband. The wife died in 2002. The Revenue determined that, under IHTA 1984, s 221, she had had an interest in possession in the settled property.
The trustees appealed.

Pensions e-filing

HMRC are urging pension scheme administrators to register now for online filing for scheme registrations, returns, etc. The relevant information will have to be submitted online from 16 October 2007. HMRC state that 'e-mandated information submitted by paper after 15 October 2007 will be returned to the sender, and will be deemed as not received'.

Pensions Bill Royal Assent on 26 July

Some pensioners still being paid under old arrangements

New recognised exchanges

FA 2005, s 48A has rules for the taxation of 'alternative finance investment bonds' — a Shari'a compliant security, which is known as 'sukuk' and which is economically equivalent to conventional interest-bearing securities.
A condition of the tax treatment of such bonds is that they are listed on a 'recognised stock exchange'. FA 2005, s 48A(3) allows for an Order to be made specifying such exchanges and HMRC have now designated the following stock exchanges as recognised stock exchanges for the purposes only of FA 2005, s 48A.

Pension charge

Voluntary contributions - Pensions Bill