The National Audit Office has confirmed that it is in the ‘early stages’ of scoping a review of HMRC’s procedures for resolving tax disputes. Private Eye has linked the NAO’s decision to recent allegations concerning HMRC’s £1.2 billion settlement with Vodafone.
‘Taking advantage of complex tax laws in order to reduce the individual burden is perfectly legal and has been standard practice among the super-rich for years.
HMRC has published a revised summary of legislation implementing reforms arising from the review of HMRC powers, deterrents and safeguards.
Anthony Inglese and Geoff Lloyd identify three misunderstandings of HMRC's Litigation and Settlements Strategy
HMRC has no automatic right to a stay in civil proceedings where a criminal investigation commences. Michael Avient and Heather Williams review the decision in Mr Swallow v HMRC
Jason Collins reviews HMRC’s proposed data-gathering powers
HMRC is planning a programme of pre-return ‘business records checks’ to review the adequacy and accuracy of records in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. Poor record keeping is a problem in around two million SME cases, the department estimated.
Aileen Barry on the tax issues in 2010 that affected tax investigations
James Bullock identifies the 2010 developments affecting tax dispute resolution
Simon Norris, Head of HMRC Powers, and leading private sector tax professionals Phil Berwick, Kevin Igoe and Aileen Barry took part in a Tax Journal round table discussion on HMRC powers