Employees coming to work in the UK should see an improvement in the new version of overseas workday relief set to be introduced from 6 April 2025. Current system Under the current system of overseas…
Umbrella companies back in the spotlight
Umbrella companies are often used to employ workers on behalf of recruitment agencies and end clients. However, HMRC is making changes from April 2026 to deal with umbrella companies who don’t comply with their tax…
Employment expenses pushed to paper
Despite its digital ambitions, HMRC has recently reverted to paper-based claims for employees who want to make a claim for employment expenses. The change from an online basis has been made to reduce fraud. Reports…
Tips and troncs – what does it mean for your business?
Since July, it has been illegal for employers to withhold tips from staff. The payment of tips will probably result in a national insurance contribution (NIC) cost for both employer and employees, but this extra…
Small businesses top tax gap defaulters
The tax gap increased in 2022/2023, to a record £39.8 billion, with small businesses being blamed for around 60% of uncollected taxes. The tax gap is the difference between the amount of tax that should,…
HMRC and Provisional Liquidations via S.234 Insolvency Act 1986
We are seeing a marked increase in HMRC’s use of provisional liquidations particularly where umbrella companies are concerned. Some readers may have an opinion on umbrella companies and may argue that HMRC are on the…
Another lesson learned in equal pay
Having already paid out over £1 billion in equal pay claims, and now facing claims for further millions, Birmingham City Council’s financial crisis is a stark reminder of why it is so important to get…
National Insurance Cut
Employee National Insurance cut announced in the Autumn Statement takes effect (from 6 January). For many years, successive governments have been happy for the public to vaguely believe that national insurance contributions (NICs) are building…
Interest rate rises fuelling increased tax take
The Bank of England base rate increase is impacting on the government’s tax takes, with more taxpayers paying tax on savings income due to higher interest rates. Increased mortgage rates are contributing to rocketing capital…
New PAYE process for High Income Child Benefit Charge
One of the many criticisms aimed at the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) is that anyone caught by the charge needs to submit a self-assessment tax return even if all of their tax is…