Beware online rip-offs
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a new campaign to help shoppers spot and avoid misleading online practices that could result in them being ripped off.
If the campaign identifies any commercial practices that adversely affect consumers then they can take enforcement action
Support with rising energy bills
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak delivered a statement to the House of Commons on 3 February 2022 announcing a number of measures to help people cope with fast rising energy costs.
Record increases will see a 54% jump in the energy price cap from 1 April 2022 affecting some 22 million customers across
Extending MTD for Income Tax to businesses and landlords
The introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) is now set to commence from April 2024. MTD for ITSA will fundamentally change the way businesses, the self-employed and landlords interact with HMRC. The regime will require businesses and individuals to register,
HMRC “sweetheart” deals
HMRC has issued an interesting press release stating that ‘Fact: HMRC does not do ‘sweetheart deals’. HMRC makes sure every taxpayer, no matter what their size, pays everything they owe.’
This denial could be in response to many claims that have been made over the years in Parliament and the press
HMRC fraud squad net £1bn from criminals
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) was launched in April 2016. The FIS is responsible for HMRC’s civil and criminal investigations into the most serious fraud and wrongdoing. It has been estimated that tax evasion and fraud cost the exchequer up to £10bn per annum.
The formation of the FIS
Beware online sales scams
A new government press release has been issued reminding the public that online sales scams continue to be a major issue. In fact, 2021 saw a record number of cyber-attacks and online scams.
Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime, has revealed that almost 100,000
Plug-in grants for electric vehicles
The government has announced significant changes to the low-emission vehicles plug-in grant scheme. The changes became effective on 15 December 2021. The changes have been introduced in response to soaring demand for electric vehicles and to help target those buying the most affordable zero emission
BOE advises government on inflation hike to 5.1%
The current Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. The letter was dated 16 December 2021 and has been uploaded to GOV.UK. The correspondence related to the recently published figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
The judgement in HMRC v Tooth
A recent Supreme Court decision examined in some detail HMRC’s powers in relation to issuing a discovery assessment. HMRC generally use discovery assessments where the statutory time limit for looking into a return has expired.
If certain conditions are satisfied, then HMRC can make a discovery
Plug-in grants for electric vehicles
The low-emission vehicles plug-in grant can help you save up to £2,500 on the purchase price of new low-emission vehicles. The scheme was first launched in 2011 and is available across the UK with dealers using the grant towards the price of eligible new cars. The paperwork for the grant application