HMRC Stakeholder Digest - 7 December 2022

Please see the following message from HMRC, which we are sharing for information:

The HMRC Stakeholder Digest provides a round-up of our latest news and updates, which we’d be grateful if you could share with your clients, customers, or members.

Cost of living support

Support for parents and businesses with the Childcare Choices toolkit 

We want to make sure households are aware of the government support available to them, and this includes help with childcare costs. 

You can help more families by promoting Childcare Choices, a webpage where families can easily find out which offers they are eligible for from 30 hours to £2,000 off childcare costs per child, each year. 

Government support is not limited to just nurseries and childminders – it can be used for breakfast or after-school clubs, holiday and activity clubs and more. It could help parents and carers to stay in work, work more hours or reduce the cost of their childcare. The Childcare Parent Communications Toolkit has assets and messaging to help you promote these offers. 

Childcare providers could also boost their business by becoming available to families who use government childcare support. The Childcare Providers Information and Communications Toolkit contains a step-by-step guide to help businesses do this. 

Cost of Living Payments update

Millions of households across the UK receiving certain benefits, including tax credits, have now received Cost of Living Payments of up to £650, paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324.

If a customer thinks they’re eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment but haven’t received it, they can report this on GOV.UK.

The government announced up to £900 of additional Cost of Living Payments for households on means-tested benefits in 2023 and 2024 as part of the Autumn Statement. We’ll confirm details of these payments including who is eligible and when they’ll be paid, as soon as possible.

Actions

Help businesses to check if they need to register for Plastic Packaging Tax

Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) was introduced on 1 April 2022 and businesses that manufacture or import 10 or more tonnes of plastic packaging within a 12 month period need to check when they must register for PPT on GOV.UK.

Although PPT is not due on packaging made up of up to 30% or more recycled plastic, businesses must still register if they meet the above criteria.

PPT also applies to plastic packaging that is imported already filled with goods. However, businesses only need to account for the weight of the plastic packaging towards the 10-tonne threshold. 

If a business is liable to register or has already registered, from 1 January 2023 they must submit their PPT return and pay any tax due by 31 January 2023. 

Please remind your clients and members to check whether they need to register for PPT.

Administrative Burden Advisory Board 2022 Annual Report - now available

The Administrative Burden Advisory Board (ABAB) have published their 2022 Annual Report.

ABAB is made up of 13 independent members with wide ranging expertise representing businesses and professions. They offer constructive challenge and champion the views and concerns of small businesses. They work closely with us to make tax easier and quicker for small businesses and are providing valuable business insight and expertise.

Please share the report with your clients and members who have an interest in reducing the tax administration burden of small businesses.

If they would like to comment on this report or help us with our work, please contact: [email protected]