Policy News Journal - 2015-16

Basic PAYE Tools Online End of Year Expenses and Benefits Charities Online Agent Authorisation Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Construction Industry Scheme Pension Schemes

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Tax returns break records over New Year 7 January 2015

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that record-breaking 24,546 people submitted their tax return online on New Year’s Eve, representing a 2.8% rise on one year ago, while more than 11,467 people sent off their Self Assessment tax return on New Year’s Day 2016 itself.

Hundreds of people decided to spend the first hours of 2016 completing their Self Assessment, with more than 600 people submitting their tax return between midnight and 10am on New Year’s Day.

The data also show that the number of people completing their tax return on Christmas Day broke records, with 2,044 customers submitting their tax return – an increase of 13% on 25 December 2014.

On Boxing Day, 5,402 customers ignored the temptation of the sales and instead chose to find their inner peace by completing their Self Assessment online.

The deadline for sending 2014-15 tax returns to HMRC, and paying any tax owed, is 31 January 2016.

Letter to Financial Secretary raises concerns about quarterly reporting 13 January 2015

The Treasury Committee has written to David Gauke, Financial Secretary to voice the concerns of small businesses over the proposal that will require most businesses to file tax returns quarterly instead of annually, starting from 2018. We reported news earlier in the month that more than 100,000 small firms have signed a petition demanding HMRC to rethink their proposal. The volume of signatures means that Parliament is now expected to debate the subject and the letter to the Financial Secretary has now set the ball rolling.

The letter from the Treasury Committee raises the concern that very little detail has been given about the proposal and asks that assurance be given that:

 businesses will not be compelled to pay tax sooner than now  businesses will not be required to provide quarterly updates requiring more burdensome record keeping than now  adequate arrangements will be made for those businesses who do not use computers; and  all the details including the associated penalty regime will be subject to full consultation prior to any decisions.

A response has not yet been published by David Gauke; we will watch with interest and provide an update in due course.

Bogus emails promising tax rebates from HMRC 13 January 2015

With the self-assessment deadline approaching, please be vigilant as once again tax phishing emails purporting to be from HMRC are on the rise.

CIPP Policy News Journal

25/04/2016, Page 213 of 453

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