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Media and politics

Claims, counterclaims and controversy about loan charge as Lords hold mini-inquiry

HMRC got a grilling from peers about the fallout of the loan charge, with suggestions that the tax authority is causing hardship, poor at communicating with affected people and lacking in imagination in combating tax avoidance. But HMRC countered that it is improving their service to taxpayers and sought to explain why taxpayers may find their handling of the loan charge saga hard to understand. The committee of peers also heard from experts and those affected who gave their various takes on one of the most controversial areas of tax administration in recent years.

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Peers sigh at SI despite tax minister saying not to worry

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee’s Finance Bill Sub-Committee has published a report on the Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020. 

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Tax hikes for property sales in Wales

The Welsh Government published its draft budget for 2021-22 on Monday 21 December.

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Brexit customs and VAT bill sails into law unopposed

Legislation to establish the special VAT and customs regime that will apply in Northern Ireland from next month has completed its passage through the UK Parliament ahead of the end of the Brexit Transition Period.

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Peers want stronger action on scheme promoters, but question the evidence base for new tax checks and information powers

A new report from a House of Lords committee draws on CIOT evidence to make recommendations on new HMRC compliance and anti-avoidance powers.

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'Whether the decline in trusts is due to taxation, regulation or some other factors, they remain excellent vehicles for protection'

CIOT committee member Megan Saksida writes a guest blog on the merits of using trusts and asks why there has been a decline in their use

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Brexit VAT and customs changes rushed through Parliament

Legislation to establish the special VAT and customs regime that will apply in Northern Ireland from next month, and to scrap low value consignment relief across the UK, has begun its passage through the UK Parliament ahead of the end of the Brexit Transition Period at the end of the month.

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Government defends pandemic support but promises to look again at measures for the excluded self-employed

On Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson led a Westminster Hall debate on support for three million self-employed workers ruled ineligible for the government’s Coronavirus support schemes.

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Compulsory insurance, not regulation, the way to tackle avoidance scheme promoters, says HMRC chief

The House of Commons Treasury Committee held a session on HMRC’s Annual Report on Monday 7 December.  The witnesses were HMRC CEO Jim Harra, Penny Ciniewicz, Director General, Head of Customer Compliance at HMRC and Jonathan Russell CB, Interim CEO, Valuation Office Agency.

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CIOT/IFS debate finds agreement that Brexit is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to craft and simplify VAT and customs duties.

The UK has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to craft and simplify VAT and customs duties after Brexit, agreed tax experts at a CIOT/IFS ‘virtual’ debate on ‘VAT and Customs Duties after Brexit’.

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