HMRC will send out more than 40,000 letters over the next few weeks, inviting people who have failed to register for VAT to make a full disclosure and take advantage of a reduced penalty.
More than £25 billion of tax was ‘under consideration’ in HMRC’s Large Business Service (LBS) enquiries at 31 March 2011, but the department emphasised that the estimate did not represent tax owed or unpaid.
Most large business ‘customers’ of HMRC continue to be satisfied with the overall service provided by the department, according to a survey conducted late last year and published last week on HMRC’s website.
HMRC have invited comments by 30 September on draft regulations to be made in the exercise of data-gathering powers contained in Sch 23 to the current Finance Bill.
HMRC have published a briefing paper for tax agents on the trial of a ‘single compliance process’ in 12 UK locations. The trial was set to begin earlier this month but was delayed to allow detailed guidance to be prepared.
Web robot software will help HMRC to pinpoint tax evaders in a series of new campaigns targeting VAT defaulters, private tutors and e-marketplaces, HMRC have announced. The Connect computer system alerts the department to evasion by matching ‘a vast amount of HMRC and third-party data’.
HMRC are offering employers who have utilised Employee Benefit Trusts and similar arrangements the opportunity to resolve outstanding enquiries without recourse to litigation. Adam Craggs considers whether employers should take up this opportunity.
Jonathan Fisher QC identifies lessons for both prosecutors and defenders from the Eastenders Cash & Carry case concerning search warrants and restraint orders where alcohol diversion fraud was suspected
HMRC have published details of the types of data they hold, and a summary of their approach to transparency, with a view to meeting commitments made in an updated Business Plan.
‘Thousands of British clients of HSBC who stashed money in Switzerland are to have their financial affairs probed by the taxman … HMRC has obtained the names and account details of 7,000 HSBC customers from a whistleblower …