ASSESSMENTS

No hardship with VAT assessment: A taxpayer wishing to appeal to a tribunal against a VAT assessment must either pay the disputed tax up front or apply to HMRC or the tribunal for permission not to pay the assessment on grounds of hardship. SC...

HMRC’s assessment powers vary depending on the tax at issue but there are common themes, write Matthew Greene and Guy Bud (Stewarts).

Application for a stay.

Prior payment of the tax is required for VAT appeals (barring hardship). Etienne Wong (Old Square Tax Chambers) examines Totel, the case on whether this is lawful.

Four recent commentaries examine different aspects of the tax compliance landscape.

From 2019, HMRC will have 12 years to raise assessments on offshore matters, even if the taxpayer has made an innocent error. This will catch years back to 2013/14 where the taxpayer has been careless, or 2015/16 where the taxpayer made a mistake despite taking reasonable care.