COMPLIANCE

Simon McKie (McKie & Co) argues why HMRC’s tax gap figures might actually have been overestimated rather than underestimated

Jolyon Maugham (Devereux Chambers) writes that morality has its uses. As a tool for delivering tax outcomes it is highly imperfect, but the law falls into disrepair when it does not keep pace with changing mores.

Which taxpayers should review their position following the CJEU decision in EC v UK regarding TCGA 1992 s 13)? Peter Cussons, international corporate tax partner at PwC, considers the implications for taxpayers and believes further amendments to the legislation could be possible. 

The Fair Tax Mark’s first licensed assessor, Tim Law (Engaged Consulting Ltd), explains how it can help deliver independent accreditation for the scheme

Practitioner views on the Autumn Statement:

• Helen Lethaby (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) examines the impact on big business;
• Simon McKie (McKie & Co) reviews the private client perspective;
• James Bullock (Pinsent Masons) considers enforcement and compliance issues;
• David Whiscombe (BKL Tax) assesses the impact on SMEs;
• John Whiting (OTS) gives the Office of Tax Simplification’s view; and
• John Hawksworth (PwC) provides an economic perspective.

The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report finding that many tax reliefs, cost more than expected and are used in ways either not intended by Parliament, or without bringing about the intended behaviour change.

Recent media reports about the London mayor’s tax affairs shine a light on the taxation of US citizens living abroad. David Treitel (American Tax Returns Ltd) explains.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) released its 18th report of the 2014/15 parliamentary session on Tuesday, titled HMRC’s progress in improving tax compliance and preventing tax avoidance.

The best way to resolve the huge backlog of open schemes would be for HMRC to introduce a new overall resolution strategy, writes Ray McCann (Pinsent Masons)