HMRC notices

Tax and property when you separate or divorce

When a couple separates or divorces, most attention focuses on the emotional and practical aspects. However, it is important to consider the tax implications of transferring assets, as these can have significant financial consequences if not managed

VCT and EIS changes

The new rules will allow companies to raise more capital under the following schemes although investors will need to factor in reduced VCT Income Tax relief when assessing opportunities.

The Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Enterprise Investment

Taxable & tax-free state benefits

While there are many state benefits available, it is not always clear which of these are taxable and which are tax-free.

HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits which are taxable, subject to the usual

Pay for imports declared via the CDS

If your business imports goods into the UK, it is important to be familiar with the Customs Declaration Service and to ensure that any duty payments are made correctly and on time to avoid delays, interest or penalties.

The Customs Declaration

Claiming 4-years Foreign Income and Gains relief

The remittance basis of taxation for non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms) was replaced with the new Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime from April 2025. This new regime is based on tax residence rather than domicile. Under the new rules, nearly

Deduction of tax on yearly interest

The tax legislation requires the deduction of tax from yearly interest that arises in the UK. This typically refers to interest that is subject to Income Tax or Corporation Tax.

The legislation requires the deduction of tax from yearly interest,

The Enterprise Investment Scheme tax benefits

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is designed to help smaller, higher-risk trading companies raise finance by offering a range of tax reliefs to investors who purchase new shares in those companies.

This scheme aims to encourage investment in

Are casual payments taxable?

Not all casual payments are tax-free; HMRC’s miscellaneous income rules may apply depending on the circumstances.

The special miscellaneous income rules sweep-up provisions that seek to charge tax on certain income. This unusual provision, which is

Who needs to register for anti-money laundering supervision

If your business operates in a sector covered by the Money Laundering Regulations, you must be monitored by a supervisory authority to ensure compliance. This article outlines who needs to register with HMRC for anti-money laundering (AML)

War Widows Recognition Payments Scheme

Bereaved spouses who lost service pensions before 2015 have until 15 October 2025 to claim a one-off £87,500 recognition payment.

This scheme was launched in October 2023 to help war widows and widowers who lost their service-attributable pensions

How do HMRC define “wholly and exclusively” for tax purposes

Not sure if a business cost is deductible? HMRC’s ‘wholly and exclusively’ rule is the key test.

When deciding whether an expense is deductible or not it is important to bear in mind that the expenditure must be incurred wholly and exclusively for

Reclaiming duty moving goods to Northern Ireland

Businesses can reclaim duties on qualifying goods moved to or through Northern Ireland since 2021

The Northern Ireland Duty Reimbursement Scheme allows businesses to reclaim import duties paid on goods moved into Northern Ireland, provided specific

Interactive online tool for tax compliance check

HMRC’s new Q&A tool guides you through each step of a compliance check.

The free interactive online tool is designed to help individuals and businesses better understand what happens during a tax compliance check. Available on GOV.UK, the

Higher penalties for MTD filers

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will become mandatory in phases from April 2026. If you are self-employed or a landlord earning over £50,000 you need to start preparing to submit quarterly updates, keeping digital records and a new penalty system

Save up to £2,000 a year on childcare costs

Is your child starting school this September? Tax-Free Childcare could save you up to £2,000 a year. Check your eligibility now and start planning ahead.

Working families whose children are starting school for the first time September 2025 could

The transition from FHL to Property Rental business

Tax perks for Furnished Holiday Lets have ended. From April 2025, lettings fall under standard rental rules. Check the transition rules to avoid surprises.

The tax advantages that were previously available to property owners letting their properties

State Benefits – What is taxable and what is not

Not all state benefits are tax-free! Some, like the State Pension and Carer’s Allowance, are taxable, while others, like PIP and Universal Credit, are not. Knowing the difference can help you stay on top of your tax responsibilities and avoid

Tax treatment of income after cessation

After a business closes, income can still arise. Post-cessation receipts must be properly reported and taxed under specific rules. Knowing what qualifies — and what does not — ensures businesses and individuals stay compliant with UK tax

LLP salaried members

Not all LLP members are taxed as partners. HMRC may treat them as employees if they meet certain conditions. Here’s how the salaried member rules work, what the three-part test involves, and who’s excluded from the legislation.

The salaried member

Records you must keep if self-employed

If you are self-employed as a sole trader or a partner in a business partnership, you are required to maintain suitable business records as well as separate personal income records for tax purposes.

For tax compliance, these business records must be

How far back can HMRC assess under-declared taxes?

From income tax to VAT, HMRC has specific time limits for issuing tax assessments. Depending on the circumstances—whether it’s standard, careless, offshore, or deliberate behaviour—these limits can stretch from 4 to 20 years.

HMRC’s time

Treatment of post-cessation receipts and payments

When a trade ends, income doesn’t always stop. Post-cessation receipts can still arise, and knowing how they are taxed is crucial. Whether it’s Income Tax or Corporation Tax, the recipient—not necessarily the original trader—bears the

How umbrella companies work

Umbrella companies offer an easy way for freelancers and contractors to get paid without running a limited company. They handle payroll and tax via PAYE, ensuring compliance and employment rights. But are they the right choice for you? Consider the

Selling online and paying tax

Selling online? Whether it’s a hobby or a business, you may need to pay tax if your earnings exceed £1,000. From services to content creation, it’s vital to understand self-assessment rules and new reporting obligations for online platforms starting

Gifts of land and buildings to charities

There are special rules in place for taxpayers who make gifts of land and buildings to charity. This can include Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief provided all the necessary conditions are met. There are also reliefs available where

Close company anti-avoidance measure

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget measures, the government introduced new anti-avoidance provisions to prevent the abuse of the existing close company anti-avoidance rule. The measure will have effect for any tax avoidance arrangements falling within

Take goods with you to sell abroad

There are specific customs requirements for commercial goods that you take with you to sell abroad. You must declare any goods intended for sale outside the UK, whether they are in your baggage or a private vehicle.

The regulations for commercial

Who qualifies for Tax-Free Childcare?

The Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme helps working families manage childcare costs by providing support through a wide network of registered providers, including childminders, breakfast and after-school clubs, and approved play schemes across the UK.

When dividends cannot be paid

There is a basic principle that dividends or other distributions must not be paid out of capital even if the Articles of a company authorise such a payment. For the purposes of this article, reference to distributions includes dividends.

This is

Definition of living together

There are many tax reliefs available to married couples or civil partners. In many cases, these reliefs are only available if the couple / civil partners meet the legal definition of living together.

This definition of ‘living together’ is set out

Let Property Campaign

The Let Property Campaign provides landlords who have undeclared income from residential property lettings in the UK or abroad with an opportunity to regularise their affairs by disclosing any outstanding liabilities whether due to misunderstanding

When you cannot use the Property or Trading Allowances

Two separate £1,000 tax allowances for property and trading income were introduced in April 2017. If you have both types of income highlighted below, then you can claim a £1,000 allowance for each.

The £1,000 exemptions from tax apply to:

If you

Child benefit for 16 to 19 year olds

The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family is currently £25.60 and the weekly rate for all other children is £16.95.

Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31

Taxable and non-taxable State Benefits

Whilst there are a large number of state benefits available, it is not clear which of these benefits are taxable and which are tax-free.

HMRC’s guidance provides the following list of the most common state benefits that are taxable, i.e., Income Tax

Check if HMRC contact is genuine

HMRC’s published guidance titled ‘Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method’ has been updated. The list is intended to help taxpayers check if recent contacts purporting to be from HMRC are actually a scam.

The guidance

Do you need to register for Economic Crime Levy?

The Economic Crime Levy is a levy that applies to businesses that are already regulated for anti-money laundering purposes.

Your business must register if your UK revenue is £10.2 million or more in a financial year and:

Your business is already

Holiday Lets averaging election

The furnished holiday let (FHL) rules allow holiday lettings of properties that meet certain conditions to be treated as a trade for tax purposes.

In order to qualify as a furnished holiday letting, the following criteria need to be met:

The

Landlords – claiming maintenance and repairs costs

Landlords are able to claim for allowable expenses as a deduction from their rental income when calculating taxable rental profits to declare to HMRC. The expenses must relate wholly and exclusively for the purposes of renting out the

Time to Pay your tax

Businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time to Pay service. Any tax, duty, penalties or surcharges that you cannot

HMRC awards £5.5m in grant funding

HMRC’s has awarded twelve voluntary and community sector organisations a share of £5.5 million in funding to help customers with their tax affairs.

The £5.5 million funding pot applies over a three-year programme from April 2024 to March 2027

Help to Save scheme

The Help to Save scheme is intended to help those on low incomes to boost their savings. Eligible users of the scheme can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and receive a 50% government bonus. The 50% bonus is payable at the end of the

Gifts of shares to minor (under 18s) children

The settlement legislation seeks to ensure that, where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement, the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for all tax purposes. A settlor can be said to have retained an interest if

Help to Save bonus payments

The Help to Save scheme is intended to help those on low incomes to boost their savings. Eligible users of the scheme can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and receive a 50% government bonus. The 50% bonus is payable at the end of the

Due a student loan refund?

Student Loans are part of the government’s financial support package for students in higher education in the UK. They are available to help students meet their expenses while they are studying, and it is HMRC’s responsibility to collect repayments

Trusts and Income Tax

A trust is an obligation that binds a trustee, an individual or a company to deal with the trust assets, such as land, money and shares, and which form part of the trust. The person who places assets into a trust is known as a settlor and the trust

Replacement of domestic items relief

The replacement of domestic items relief enables landlords to claim tax relief when they replace movable furniture, furnishings, household appliances and kitchenware in a rental property. The allowance is available for the cost of domestic items such

Who needs an EORI number?

The Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification System (EORI) was setup as a European Union (EU) wide initiative that helps businesses communicate with customs officials when they are importing and exporting goods. The EORI allows businesses

Paying tax by Certificate of Tax Deposit

The Certificate of Tax Deposit scheme allowed users to deposit money with HMRC and use it later to pay tax liabilities. The date that the certificate was purchased was known as the effective date of payment. The scheme closed for new purchases on 23

Accommodation that qualifies as Holiday Lets

The furnished holiday lettings (FHL) rules allow holiday letting of properties that meet certain conditions to be treated as a trade for specific tax purposes.

In order to qualify as an FHL, the following criteria need to be met:

The property

Replacement of domestic items relief

The replacement of domestic items relief enables landlords to claim tax relief when they replace movable furniture, furnishings, household appliances and kitchenware in a rental property. The allowance is available for the replacement cost of

Searching for details about property

There are a number of online tools available to help find information about a property in England or Wales, even if you do not own it. The service is available on GOV.UK and allows users to search for property by postcode, map, title number or

Business records if self-employed

If you are self-employed as a sole trader or as a partner in a business partnership, then you must keep suitable business records as well as separate personal records of your income.

For tax purposes, the business records must be held for at least

Changes to Scottish Bankruptcy law

The bankruptcy process applies to individuals living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. There is a separate bankruptcy process sometimes known as sequestration in Scotland. Bankruptcy is a form of insolvency and is normally suitable for those who

Regulated businesses hit with Anti-Money Laundering fines

The Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) are designed to protect the UK financial system and put in place certain controls to prevent businesses being used for money laundering by criminals and terrorists.

HMRC has named 240 supervised businesses that

Gift Aid small donations scheme

The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) allows qualifying charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) to claim a top-up equivalent to Gift Aid on small donations of money made without a Gift Aid declaration. A small donation is defined

What you must tell HMRC

If your personal details change you may be required to notify HMRC as this can affect your entitlement to certain tax breaks and or benefits.

For example, you need to tell HMRC if:

you get married or form a civil partnership; or
you divorce,

Selling all or part of your company

If you are selling your company, there are important actions you must take to properly finalise your affairs. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is important to check what else may be required.

We have summarised below some of

Can a charity claim Gift Aid?

Charities can claim Gift Aid on donations made by eligible taxpayers. This can boost donations by an extra 25% if the donor makes a Gift Aid Declaration (GAD).

To claim Gift Aid, charities need to obtain a Gift Aid declaration from the donor. It

Gift aid tax benefits

The gift aid scheme, which was originally introduced in 1990, allows charities to reclaim from HMRC the basic rate of Income Tax deducted from qualifying donations by UK taxpayers. This means that when a basic rate taxpayer claims gift aid on a £10

Consultation on taxation of cryptoasset loans

In April 2022, the government announced a package of measures intended to make the UK a global cryptoasset technology hub. One of the issues raised at the time concerned the tax treatment of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and staking.

DeFi lending and

Landlord responsibilities

There are a number of responsibilities that fall on a landlord that is renting out a property.

These include the requirements to:

keep rented properties safe and free from health hazards;
make sure all gas equipment and electrical equipment is

Retaining an interest in a gift

The settlements legislation is contained in s.624 ITTOIA 2005. The legislation seeks to ensure that where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement that the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for all tax purposes.

The Let Property Campaign

The Let Property Campaign provides landlords who have undeclared income from residential property lettings in the UK or abroad with an opportunity to regularise their affairs by disclosing any outstanding liabilities whether due to misunderstanding

Spring Budget 2023 – Social investment tax relief to end

It was confirmed as part of the Spring Budget announcements that the Social investment tax relief (SITR) scheme will end as planned on 5 April 2023. New investments made on or after 6 April 2023 will no longer qualify for Income and Capital Gains Tax

Properties not let at commercial rates

There are special rules where a property is let at less than a commercial rate or isn’t let on commercial terms. These rules also apply if a property is occupied rent free or at less than a commercial rate, for example, a property is occupied by a

Moving goods to and from Northern Ireland

There are special procedures for moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, all Northern Ireland businesses continue to have access to the whole UK market.

HMRC lists the following six-steps that should be

Five more tax avoidance schemes named by HMRC

HMRC has powers introduced in the Finance Act 2022 to name tax avoidance schemes and their promoters. Under this legislation HMRC can name avoidance scheme promoters, publish details of the way they promote tax avoidance schemes and name the schemes

NI Trader Support Service extended

The Trader Support Service was designed to help businesses moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol after the Brexit transition period came to an end. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, all Northern Ireland businesses continue to have

Goods sent from abroad

There are special rules to help ensure that goods sent from abroad are taxed appropriately and do not disadvantage UK businesses supplying goods in the UK. For example, by having to compete with VAT free imports. This includes goods that are new or

HMRC’s shared workspace

HMRC’s Shared Workspace is a service that allows businesses and tax agents to share sensitive data, for example, accounts or employee information, with HMRC.

According to HMRC, the service allows members to ‘share’ information in a ‘space’ where

Overdrawn director’s loan account

An overdrawn director’s loan account is created when a director (or other close family member) ‘borrows’ money from their company. Many companies, particularly ‘close’ private companies, pay for personal expenses of directors using company funds.

Retaining tax return records

There are no set rules for the way in which you keep your tax records, but they are usually evidenced on paper, digitally or as part of a software program.

If you are keeping records used to complete a personal (non-business) self-assessment tax

Miscellaneous income

There are special rules known as the miscellaneous income sweep-up provisions that seek to charge tax on certain income. This unusual provision, which is broad in scope, catches income that would not otherwise be charged under specific provisions to

Settlement legislation – non-trust settlements

The settlement legislation seeks to ensure that where a settlor has retained an interest in property that the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for all tax purposes. A settlor can be said to have retained an interest if the property

Tax gap remains at 5.1%

The tax gap for the 2020-21 tax year has been published and remains at 5.1%. This is the second lowest recorded percentage and remains unchanged from the previous 2019-20 tax year.

The tax gap is basically the difference between the amount of tax

Standards for tax agents

HMRC last published guidance on the standard for agents in January 2018 (updating the first set of standards published in February 2016). The standard applies to all tax agents who transact with HMRC and to any professional who advises or acts on

Intrastat – trading goods with EU

Intrastat declarations were historically used to collect information on the movement of goods from the UK to other EU countries and vice versa. Any business that exceeded the exemption threshold for either arrivals or dispatches of goods were obliged

Holiday lets occupancy check

The furnished holiday let (FHL) rules allow holiday lettings of properties that meet certain conditions to be treated as a trade for tax purposes.

In order to qualify as a furnished holiday letting, the following criteria need to be met:

The

ISAs 2022-23

The maximum amount that can be invested in an ISA in the current (2022-23) tax year is £20,000.

ISA’s are a valuable and flexible relief and should be considered as an option for most investors.

An ISA is a tax-exempt savings account available to

Income excluded from a property business

HMRC publishes a list of income streams that are excluded from a UK property business. The list includes fishing concerns, hotels and guest houses, tied premises, caravan sites, lodgers and tenants in your own home, extra services to tenants and

Writing off a director’s loan

An overdrawn director’s loan account is created when a director (or other close family member) ‘borrows’ money from their company. Many companies, particularly ‘close’ private companies, pay for personal expenses of directors using company funds.

HMRC names avoidance scheme promoters

HMRC has used new powers introduced in the Finance Act 2022 to name tax avoidance schemes and their promoters for the first time. Under this legislation HMRC can name avoidance scheme promoters, publish details of the way they promote tax avoidance

When does a partnership exist?

A partnership is a relatively simple way for two or more legal persons to set up and run a business together with a view to profit. Partnerships can take many forms. Legal persons other than individuals can also be partners in a partnership.

There

What is a wasting asset?

A wasting asset is an asset which has a predictable life of 50 years or less. HMRC’s guidance is clear that when you dispose of an asset, you are required to estimate its predictable life based on the nature of the asset and your intended use of the

When does a partnership exist?

A partnership is a relatively simple way for two or more persons to set up and run a business together with a view to making a profit. Partnerships can take many forms. Legal persons other than individuals can also be partners in a

Overview of Digital Services Tax (DST)

The UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST) came into operation on 1 April 2020. This tax is designed to ensure that the major social media, search engine and online retailers are subject to a 2% tax on revenues generated from the participation of UK users

Examples when settlement legislation does not apply

The settlement legislation seeks to ensure that where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement that the income arising is treated as the settlor’s income for tax purposes. A settlor can be said to have retained an interest if

Hobbies and artificial trades

HMRC uses a number of different measures to help determine whether an activity is a trade irrespective of whether the activity leads to a profit or a loss. This includes looking at whether an activity is a hobby or artificial trade.

HMRC manuals

Preparing a charity annual return

The Charity Commission requires that charities registered in England or Wales must send an annual return to report their income and expenditure. The deadline for charities with a standard 12-month accounting period ending on 31 December 2021 is 31

Who should register for Plastic Packaging Tax

The new Plastic Packaging Tax will come into effect from 1 April 2022. The tax will not apply to any plastic packaging which contains at least 30% recycled plastic, or any packaging which is not predominantly plastic by weight. The tax will be

Replacement of domestic items in let property

The replacement of domestic items relief has been in place since April 2016. The relief allows landlords to claim tax relief when they replace movable furniture, furnishings, household appliances and kitchenware in a rental property. The allowance is

Changes to customs declarations 1 January 2022

There are special procedures for importing goods into the UK. Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the process for importing goods from the EU effectively mirrors the process for all non-EU international

Appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Tax)

There are a number of different options open to taxpayers that disagree with a tax decision issued by HMRC. Usually, the first step is to make an appeal to HMRC against the tax decision. The case worker who made the decision will look at your case

Self-employed basis period reforms

The government announced back in September that the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) has been delayed by one year until April 2024. There had been widespread concerns on the speed of the MTD for ITSA

Discovery assessment changes

HMRC has taken action to ensure that discovery assessments relating to certain aspects of the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), Gift Aid Donations and different pension charges act as intended.

According to HMRC, this new measure does not

Keeping self-employed tax records

If you are self-employed as a sole trader or as a partner in a business partnership, then you must keep suitable business records as well as separate personal records of your income.

For tax purposes, the business records must be held for at least

HMRC’s new penalty regime

HMRC’s new points-based penalty regime for late submission and payment will start from 1 April 2022.

Website development costs

One of the main areas to consider in deciding how to treat a deductible expense is whether the cost

Archiving international trade documents

There are important rules that all businesses must follow to keep business and accounting records

Simplified export declarations

Following the end of the Brexit transition period, businesses need to make customs declarations when

Could the Trader Support Service help your business?

The new Trader Support Service has been designed to help businesses moving goods under the Northern