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Latest News for Business (Archive)

May 2022

HMRC starts chasing up SEISS overpayments
UK government unveils energy strategy
Treasury announces it will regulate some forms of cryptocurrency
HMRC names avoidance scheme promoters for first time
New HMRC one-stop online shop provides taxpayers with tax relief information
Export growth is 'stagnant', BCC finds
Latest guidance for employers
Government inaction on long COVID could cost billions

April 2022

Chancellor cuts fuel duty in Spring Statement
Business groups give mixed response to Spring Statement
OBR updates economic picture
MTD for VAT brings in up to an extra £195 million in tax
Bank of England raises interest rates for third time in a row
UK economic growth to halve this year, warns BCC
Student loan repayments for new borrowers to start at £25,000
CMA frees leaseholders from rising ground rents

March 2022

Spring Statement 2022
Spring Statement is the time to act, says CBI
Coronavirus SSP Rebate Scheme set to close on 17 March
Businesses urged to apply for remaining COVID-19 support grants
Two freeports planned for Scotland
HMRC raises late payment interest rate
MPs call for road pricing to replace motoring taxes
Over a million take advantage of extra time to file self assessment returns
Advisory fuel rates for company cars

February 2022

COVID-19 support grants paid to companies must be included on company tax returns
Government scheme gives discounts of up to £5,000 on accounting software
Claims portal reopens for Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
Consumer group urges taxpayers to avoid using refund firms to claim tax rebates
National insurance rise 'set to squeeze budgets', warns CBI
No 'convincing case' for digital UK currency, says House of Lords committee
Scam HMRC call reports drop by 97%
BCC calls for 'urgent action' to improve UK-EU trade

January 2022

Chancellor announces £1 billion fund for businesses
Self assessment taxpayers must declare COVID grants on tax returns
HMRC waives self assessment penalties for one month to ease COVID-19 pressures
Scottish Budget 2022
Welsh government delivers Budget
FCA to introduce new consumer duty
HMRC latest guidance for employers
Over 440,000 small firms at risk due to late payment crisis

December 2021

HMRC's tax take falls by billions due to pandemic
Government sets out tax details on TAM Day
Three-day wait for Statutory Sick Pay to return next year
HMRC issues warning on self assessment scams
New law introduced to help protect pension savers from scammers
Services sector continues to recover despite rising costs
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Costs 'weighing on businesses' sustainability intentions', FSB finds

November 2021

Chancellor delivers Budget to lay foundation for a strong economy
Business groups give mixed response to Budget
IFS predicts millions to be worse off next year due to tax rises
Payment period on residential CGT is doubled
FSB warns tax rises threaten recovery from pandemic
Applications now open for freeports
Pensions experts say a minimum of £10,900 a year needed to retire
Heat pump grants worth £5,000 will help replace gas boilers

October 2021

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment delayed for a year
National Insurance and dividend tax rises announced for social care reform
Chancellor to deliver Autumn 2021 Budget on 27 October
Chancellor warned of redundancies as furlough scheme ends
COVID-19 sick pay rebate scheme closed in September
£800 million Reinsurance Scheme opens for live events
Government announces plans to make requesting flexible working a day one right
British Business Bank provided £80.5 billion of COVID-19 support

September 2021

HMRC outlines changes to late payment penalty regime
Digital marketplaces to report sellers' incomes from 2023
CIOT warns over stamp duty refund claims
Contactless limit to increase to £100
HMRC urges taxpayers to stay alert to digital scams
BCC calls for government to extend skills training
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Employers 'named and shamed' for paying less than minimum wage

August 2021

Consultation launched on self-employed basis period reform
The government has published draft Finance Bill clauses
Claiming the fifth self-employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant
ICAEW urges HMRC to scrap exemptions to simplify VAT rules
HMRC updates Salary Sacrifice guidance
Data reveals 1.9 million workers remain on furlough
Pension scams average losses now over £50,000
Increase in public trust in charities

July 2021

Furlough scheme starts to wind down
Apprenticeship cash boost
Property tax changes
HMRC launches 13,000 investigations into COVID-19 support schemes
Schemes create one stop shop for VAT on EU trade
Over 280,000 families now using Tax-Free Childcare
440,000 tax credit claimants still to renew their claims
800,000 claim tax relief for working from home

June 2021

Fifth SEISS grant will be open to claims from late July
HMRC's VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme to close this month
NIC reliefs set for Freeports
Government confirms start date for Plastic Packaging Tax
Effectiveness of OTS set to be reviewed by Treasury
Trade credit insurance scheme to close
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Forms P11D - reporting employee benefits

May 2021

Fourth self-employed grant now open for online applications
Recovery Loan Scheme opens to businesses
Recent changes to IR35 'undermine the self-employed' says IPSE
CBI calls for extension of Kickstart Scheme as jobs market remains subdued
New 95% mortgage scheme launched
New claims required for home working tax relief
HMRC sets out penalty regime for SEISS abuse
Pension fraud increased to £1.8 million in first quarter of 2021

April 2021

Business rates relief extended with £1.5 billion fund
Consultations launched on UK's first Tax Day
Government publishes details of Finance Bill 2021
£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
HMRC publishes details of final grants for self-employed
National Minimum and Living wages increases
UK cuts electric vehicle grants by £500
ICAEW urges HMRC to rethink quarterly reports under MTD for corporation tax

March 2021

Sunak set out Budget to protect businesses
Business groups welcome Budget
Late payment penalties for Self Assessment waived until 1 April
Online service opens for VAT deferral scheme
HMRC clarifies off-payroll rules
Domestic VAT reverse charge comes into effect on 1 March
Borrowers of Bounce Back loans given six more months for repayments
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Spring Budget 2021

February 2021

10.7 million taxpayers submitted their 2019/20 Self Assessment tax returns
Rogue employers named and shamed for failing to pay employees the minimum wage
Scottish Budget Income Tax
Scottish Land and Buildings Transaction Tax
Bonus of £1,000 to help businesses take on trainees
LITRG calls for a rise in the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold
Government urged by CBI to act on COVID business support ahead of Budget
Supreme Court backs small firms on business interruption claims

January 2021

Finance Secretary for Scotland outlines spending plans in 2021/22 Scottish Budget
Chancellor announces £4.6 billion lockdown grant package
Extension of the Job Retention Scheme
VAT deferral
New action to disrupt promoters of tax avoidance schemes
Self assessment deadline approaching
Institute of Directors warns Capital Gains Tax rise would adversely affect entrepreneurs
Individuals urged to remain vigilant when making festive charitable donations
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

December 2020

Get prepared for the end of the Brexit transitional period
Virtual Christmas parties will qualify for tax exemption
Gifts to employees can be tax-free
Minimum Wage Increases from April 2021
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Self assessment taxpayers warned to watch out for scammers posing as HMRC
HMRC confirms MTD for corporation tax to be mandated from 2026
£1 million Annual Investment Allowance cap extended

November 2020

Furlough scheme extended
Increased support made available for the self employed
Chancellor approves grants for businesses closed by lockdown
Self assessment customers to benefit from enhanced payment plans
Taxpayers claim tax relief for working from home
Brexit imports and exports
ATT issues last call for firms seeking to use increased Annual Investment Allowance
Latest guidance for employers

October 2020

Job Support Scheme
Winter Economy Plan support for the self-employed
VAT deferral and enhanced Time to Pay for self assessment
Changes to the Bounce Back Loan and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes
The VAT reverse charge
Ministers announce new grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns
New trade arrangements with the EU from 1 January 2021
House sales rise following the introduction of stamp duty holiday

September 2020

Kickstart Scheme opens for applications
Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grants
Plastic bag tax charge to be doubled and extended to all retailers
More than £30 million lost to pension scams
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Eat Out to Help Out - over 64 million meals
Self assessment deadlines
HMRC latest guidance for employers

August 2020

HMRC outlines Job Retention Bonus criteria
Treasury sets out next steps for Making Tax Digital
Government announces review of business rates scheme
Eat Out to Help Out now up and running
Scottish government cuts LBTT to help home buyers
Wales reduces LTT rate
Chancellor asks OTS to review capital gains tax
Overclaimed COVID grants

July 2020

Chancellor unveils three-point plan for jobs
Stamp duty temporarily reduced
Flexible furloughing starts on job retention scheme
Government expands aid for start-ups and innovators
Bank of England increases stimulus package for UK economy
FCA confirms further support for consumer credit customers
Private sector off-payroll reforms given go ahead for April 2021
Late payment crisis has worsened during coronavirus lockdown

June 2020

Chancellor announces changes to Job Retention Scheme
COVID-19: delay to VAT reverse charge on construction services
Loan size increased to £200 million under large business interruption scheme
Future Fund launches to give start-ups coronavirus support
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme goes live
Changes to insolvency and company law going through Parliament
UK sets out post-Brexit tariff regime
MPs open inquiry into £155 billion of tax reliefs

May 2020

Government launches small business micro loan scheme
Lenders relax evidence requirements for business interruption loan scheme applications
Job Retention Scheme goes live
HMRC releases guidance for self-employed scheme
Government launches support finding tool for business
OBR predicts UK economy will shrink by over a third
Government borrowing could rise to £300 billion
HMRC extends late reporting deadline for CGT

April 2020

Chancellor's business support packages for coronavirus pandemic
Chancellor unveils help for self-employed workers
Regulators request delay in corporate reporting
HMRC urges businesses using VAT deferral to cancel direct debits
Get ready for 30-day returns and payments for residential property gains
New tests and new car benefit percentages
HMRC delays introduction of off-payroll rules to private sector
Rise in contactless card payment limit

March 2020

COVID-19: measures for UK businesses
Spring Budget 2020
Coronavirus measure: Statutory Sick Pay from day one
Review confirms off-payroll working rules to go ahead from April 2020
IFS calls for Chancellor to raise taxes in upcoming Budget
Minimum Wage increases
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Don't forget to make tax efficient investments ahead of the tax year end
Freeports
Additional financial support for flooding victims

February 2020

Brexit - transition period
Scottish Budget
Budget Day 11 March
A decade of bizarre excuses and expense claims
Off-payroll working
Tax relief on professional fees and subscriptions
Changes to overdraft fees
New right to paid parental bereavement leave

January 2020

Chancellor announces Budget date
Minimum wage rates announced
Review of the Disguised Remuneration Loan Charge
Chancellor commits to review of IR35
Retiring clinicians payments
Guidance on Structures and Buildings Allowance
Call for review of High Income Child Benefit Charge
Self assessment deadline approaching
Current list of deliberate tax defaulters
Welsh government publishes Draft Budget
Working off-payroll

December 2019

Making sure gifts to employees are tax-free
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
HMRC offers tips on avoiding Self Assessment tax scams
Check employment status for tax tool update
Temporary pensions tax arrangement for NHS staff
HMRC issues guidance on cryptoassets
Latest guidance for employers
Research and Development spend

November 2019

Budget will not now take place on 6 November
Christa Ackroyd loses IR35 appeal
Clamp down on enablers of tax avoidance schemes
Increase in probate fees abandoned
Charities fraud protection failures
Guidance for employers
HMRC countdown: file your tax return
Genuine HMRC contact and recognising phishing emails and texts

October 2019

VAT domestic reverse charge for building and construction services delayed
Independent review of the Loan Charge
Senior clinicians' pensions consultation
HMRC collects record amounts of IHT
'Major gaps' in no-deal Brexit guidance
Brexit-readiness events for business
Experts warning over insolvency debts
Money Laundering non-compliance

September 2019

Simplify apprenticeship funding
HMRC issues Customs EORI numbers
Trusts with small amounts of savings income
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
PAYE late filing and late payment penalties
Self assessment deadlines
HMRC latest guidance for employers
Strong Customer Authentication

August 2019

Off-payroll rules for the private sector
Digital Services Tax
Insolvency hierarchy changes
Private Residence Relief changes
Working parents may be eligible for tax-free childcare this summer
VAT changes may cause construction chaos
Wage growth at a high
Updated guidance on spotting HMRC scammers

July 2019

Tax gap remains low
Preparing the workforce for EU Exit
MTD for VAT latest
Employer Bulletin - latest guidance
New measures to ensure small businesses get paid on time
Payment on account confusion
UK Investment Support Directory
Consultation on the operation of Insurance Premium Tax

June 2019

MTD for VAT is now live
OTS calls for simplifying everyday tax for smaller businesses
HMRC taskforce tackles dishonest dog breeders
Forms P11D - reporting employee benefits
Welsh taxpayers income tax code mix-up
Consultation on Companies House reforms
Consultation on ancillary capital gains reliefs
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Non-compliance with minimum wage regulations

May 2019

Consultation on extension of IR35 rules
Government confirms implementation of pensions dashboards
'Springtime' tax scams target young people
Latest guidance for employers
VAT fuel scale charges
Money Laundering
'Flexible extension' to Article 50
Scottish Air Departure Tax plans further delayed

April 2019

MTD for VAT
Reporting Benefits in Kind - Forms P11D
Additional Brexit advisory documents for small businesses
Delay to rise in probate fees
Update on Structures and Buildings Allowance
Call for tax on social media businesses
Changes to income tax for 2019/20
HMRC wins disguised remuneration avoidance case

March 2019

Spring Statement 2019
HMRC advice - prepare for no deal
Start date looming for Making Tax Digital for VAT
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Scottish income tax bands confirmed for 2019/20
Minimum Wage increases
Pensions auto enrolment contributions to rise
Tax efficient investments ahead of the tax year end
Latest update for employers
Households with landlines should be vigilant

February 2019

Businesses urged to prepare for post-Brexit Customs Declarations
MTD for VAT - pilot extended to all eligible businesses
HMRC's Voice ID database
Spring Statement date announced
'Unbelievable excuses' for late filing of tax returns
Protect your pension pots

January 2019

Scottish Budget 2018 income tax changes
Scottish Budget 2018 property tax changes
HMRC reminder to employees to claim their tax deductible expenses
Pension contribution increases ahead
HMRC publish details of deliberate tax defaulters
Self assessment deadline approaching

December 2018

The Scottish Budget key announcements
Committee warns small businesses 'could pay heavy price' for MTD
Leaving the EU with no deal
180,500 new homeowners benefit from stamp duty tax relief
Tax-free gifts to employees
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Phishing tax refund email targets university students
Inheritance Tax Review by Office of Tax Simplification

November 2018

Budget 2018
Personal tax changes - allowance and basic rate band increases
Capital allowances changes
Entrepreneurs' Relief changes
Making Tax Digital for VAT
New guidance for employers
HMRC countdown: file your tax return
Further contingency planning guidance on a 'No deal Brexit'

October 2018

Autumn Budget 2018
UK Budget date announced
Self-employed Class 2 National Insurance will not be scrapped
'No deal' Brexit guidance and small business survey
Deadline for 'paper' self assessment tax returns
Deliberate tax defaulters
Genuine HMRC contact and recognising phishing emails and texts
HMRC identify record £15.6 million minimum wage underpayments

September 2018

HMRC warning: time to declare offshore assets
Stamp duty cut
Software suppliers - Making Tax Digital for VAT
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
HMRC latest guidance for employers
'No deal' Brexit guidance

August 2018

Bank of England raise interest rate
Making Tax Digital for VAT
Scotland introduces relief for first time buyers
Next round of tax draft tax legislation published
One million couples still eligible for tax boost
Consultation on pensions cold calling ban
Use Tax-Free Childcare over the summer holidays

July 2018

Workers' rights for Pimlico Plumber
Latest guidance for employers
UK 'tax gap' falls to 5.7%
HMRC extends RTI late filing easement until April 2019
HMRC saves public £2.4M by stopping fraudsters
VAT reverse charge for construction services consultation
Enterprise Management Incentive continues

June 2018

Tax refund scams warning from HMRC
200,000 receive back pay as HMRC enforce National Minimum Wage
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
Universal Credit and self employment
State Aid approval granted for the Enterprise Management Incentive
Wales to set devolved income tax rates

Latest News

09 May 2022

HMRC starts chasing up SEISS overpayments

HMRC has started to recover overpayments of Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants.

09 May 2022

UK government unveils energy strategy

Up to eight more nuclear reactors could be delivered to existing sites as part of the UK's new energy strategy.