Press releases

A Scottish Government proposal to give councils the power to increase business rates on out of town shopping centres and online retailers would be a bureaucratic burden, tax professionals have warned.

Following yesterday’s announcement by the government that it has abandoned its plans to abolish Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NIC) for the self-employed, campaigners have said the whole area of National Insurance needs a comprehensive review.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is reminding people who work in the ‘gig economy’ that the 5 October self-assessment registration deadline is approaching fast. The advice is included in LITRG’s new tax factsheet for those working in the growing ‘gig economy’ sector. Its publication comes after worrying HMRC research suggests that many of those working in the ‘gig economy’ may not consider the work they do to be taxable.

Taxpayers have only a few weeks left to disclose undeclared offshore tax liabilities to HMRC or risk a stiff penalty. The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is urging individuals who need to make a disclosure, or are unsure about making a disclosure, to act before the 30 September deadline.