The role of tax in getting to net zero City Talk Susan Cattell explains that tax can be a vital part of the package of measures needed to deliver net zero – but what is needed from the UK Government is a clear overarching tax strategy to support the transition. The UK’s Net Zero Strategy In 2019 the UK put into legislation a requirement to bring [...]
ICAS calls for a UK tax strategy to support the transition to net zero City Talk ICAS has issued a briefing paper ‘The role of tax in getting to net zero’, discussing how tax can be a vital part of the package of measures needed to deliver the UK’s ambitious target for reducing emissions. The UK’s Net Zero Strategy In 2019 the UK put into legislation a requirement to bring all [...]
Homes for Ukraine scheme: tax treatment City Talk The Government has announced that sponsorship payments under the Homes for Ukraine scheme will not be taxable and that the conditions for some tax reliefs will be adjusted to take account of the scheme. Homes for Ukraine scheme The scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to the UK and [...]
Tax disadvantage affecting Scottish partnerships to be removed December 8, 2021 In 2020 ICAS called for a tax disadvantage affecting Scottish partnerships to be removed, so we were pleased to see the recent government announcement that the relevant legislation will be amended. What’s the problem? The UK capital gains tax regime allows a roll-over style relief for CGT where joint owners of land exchange their interests [...]
Stop patching – start rewriting: modernising tax administration November 25, 2021 An unsuspecting taxpayer might assume that the Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) would tell them all they need to know about complying with their tax obligations – and HMRC’s powers to enforce that compliance. However, they would be disappointed. What is wrong with TMA? Since 1970 there have been major upheavals in the rules for [...]
Can tax be simplified? September 16, 2021 ICAS supports tax simplification as a vital part of building an effective and trusted tax administration system but making simplification happen isn’t simple. Why simplify tax? The complexity of UK tax legislation is reflected in complex tax administration systems which are difficult to use and do not facilitate compliance. Compliance is also undermined because many [...]
Selling a rental property or second home? HMRC provides some answers on its UK Property Reporting Service August 11, 2021 HMRC’s UK Property Reporting service is used to report gains on disposals of UK residential property to HMRC. It has suffered from problems since its introduction – HMRC has recently issued guidance to address issues raised by ICAS and other professional bodies. HMRC’s UK Property Reporting service Gains on disposals of residential property in the [...]
ICAS urges the UK Government to improve tax administration in ten key areas July 6, 2021 ICAS has published a new report, Tomorrow’s Tax Administration, setting out its top ten priorities for UK Government action to improve tax administration. Why does tax administration matter? Good tax administration is essential, even though it may not feature at the top of many political wish lists. It has a role to play in fulfilling [...]
To notify or not to notify? The potential perils of uncertain tax treatments June 15, 2021 The Government is proposing that large businesses should be required to notify uncertain tax treatments to HMRC. ICAS has responded to the second HMRC consultation on the proposals – the fundamental flaw in the original proposals has not been addressed. They remain poorly targeted, so will potentially impose a burden on all large businesses. Why [...]
