Personal tax

Confusion over PPI compensation and tax liability

15 May 12

Individuals receiving compensation for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) are unaware they may be liable to pay tax on awarded payments, after HMRC clarified its position on PPI and taxation.

Millions of taxpayers in line for early tax refund

14 May 12

HMRC has confirmed that more than three million tax refunds are to be sent out as of next week - two months earlier than previous years - due to an earlier review of the amount of tax paid for 2011/12 via the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.

HMRC's tax tests for contractors criticised

11 May 12

HMRC has come under fire over the release of new guidance for contractors and freelancers on the complex tax legislation IR35.

HMRC campaign deadlines approach for electricians and online traders

09 May 12

The deadlines for HMRC's latest tax campaigns for electricians and online traders are approaching.

Scotland Act 2012 given Royal Assent

04 May 12

Scotland is to be handed new powers in setting its own rate of taxes and legislation after the Scotland Bill was given Royal Assent.

12,000 sent incorrect tax penalty notices from HMRC

30 Apr 12

HMRC has apologised to more than ten thousand people who were wrongly sent penalty notices after it believed they had failed to file self assessment tax returns.

Will writing and estate administration should be regulated, says advisory group

24 Apr 12

Providers of Will-writing and estate administration services should be regulated, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said, after research found an inadequate standard of Will administration and safekeeping of consumer's money.

HMRC apologises for slip in contact centre service

20 Apr 12

HMRC has apologised after callers were unable to get through to call centres in the days following the Easter weekend, blaming 'extremely high levels of calls' from taxpayers.

Treasury report criticises Budget reforms and quantitative easing

19 Apr 12

The Government should do more to warn savers about the effects of 'loose' monetary policies, including quantitative easing (QE) and low interest rates, which have damaged pension savings; a Treasury Committee report on the Budget has found.

Treasury figures reveal extent of tax avoidance

18 Apr 12

Six per cent of the UK's wealthiest individuals earning more than £10 million pay less than 10 per cent in tax, widely speculated figures released by the Government have revealed.

Guidance published on reduced rate of inheritance tax

16 Apr 12

HMRC has released guidance on the new reduced rate of inheritance tax available to estates which leave a ten per cent donation to a registered charity.

HMRC's Real Time Information (RTI) pilot launched

12 Apr 12

A pilot project marking a significant change in the way that PAYE payments are calculated has been launched by HMRC, with the first volunteer employers testing the new Real Time Information (RTI) system.

Charities raise concerns over tax relief cap on donations

11 Apr 12

UK charities have criticised Chancellor's George Osborne's comments regarding tax avoidance by top earners in the UK, claiming they will damage philanthropic giving.

Average weekly state pension rises

11 Apr 12

The average weekly state pension for 2012/13 has risen by £6 from £118 to £124 according to Government estimations following changes which came into effect last week.

Chancellor to 'take action' on top-level tax avoidance

10 Apr 12

Chancellor George Osborne has admitted he was 'shocked' by the level of tax avoidance taking place by some of the top earners in the country, after being shown confidential tax returns as part of a study by HMRC.