Tax specialists are divided over how the coalition government’s tax policies compare to those of its predecessor, a recent Tax Journal survey suggests.
HMRC have reminded taxpayers who wish to make a disclosure under the Plumbers Tax Safe Plan that they must notify HMRC by 31 May.
The Public Bill Committee agreed several government amendments to Schedule 2 (employment income provided by third parties) on 19 May.
Clause 31 (company ceasing to be member of group: availability of relief) and Schedule 7 (investment companies) were also amended.
The government has asked the Office of Tax Simplification to ‘look closer’ at tax administration for small business and report to ministers ahead of Budget 2012.
HMRC are set to begin a six-month trial of a new, single compliance process for enquiries across a range of taxes.
HMRC published a ‘technical pack’ for ‘real time information’ reporting, to enable software developers to build payroll software products capable of reporting using the internet through the Government Gateway.
Clause 15 and Sch 1 (new high strength beer duty), clauses 16-18 (tobacco products duty, gaming duty and amusement machine licence duty), and clause 20 (fuel duties) of the Finance Bill were agreed without amendment on 17 May. The Committee is set to meet again on 19 and 24 May.
Last week’s Supreme Court decision in favour of HMRC in the Tower MCashback case may make a general anti-avoidance rule less likely, tax experts have told Tax Journal.
The government has tabled dozens of amendments to Finance Bill provisions on ‘disguised remuneration’ that have been severely criticised by tax professionals.