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Tax Bites - September 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreHMRC's new powers to investigate furlough abuse
The Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was announced on 20 March 2020, with the aim of safeguarding UK jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. The CJRS has undoubtably assisted in protecting jobs but it was, by necessity introduced quickly, with little and complex guidance, which has made it, in the words of HMRC's Chief Executive Jim Harra, a "magnet for fraudsters".
Read moreTaxing Matters: Alternative dispute resolution with Adam Craggs
Welcome to the fourth episode of our Taxing Matters podcast. In this series we review land-mark cases and key tax principles and discuss the commercial impact they could have on your business.
Read moreV@ update - August 2020
Welcome to the August 2020 edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreHackett – Tribunal considers whether HMRC's decision to proceed by way of civil penalty rather than criminal prosecution was an abuse of process
In Lindsay Hackett v HMRC [2020] UKUT 212 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has confirmed that the decision whether to bring civil or criminal proceedings is a matter for HMRC to decide with any such decision being amenable to challenge by way of judicial review.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update - August 2020
In this update we report on (1) the government's guidance concerning border planning for the end of the transition period; (2) the government's plans to support customs intermediaries; and (3) the government's recently published policy papers on moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol, following the transition period. We also comment on three cases relating to (1) whether UK acquisition VAT can apply when a bonded warehouse is not located in the UK; (2) the clarification of factors HMRC can use to determine whether a person is 'fit and proper' to carry out a controlled activity; and (3) whether an acquittal of a criminal charge can preclude HMRC from issuing an excise duty assessment.
Read moreArcher: No reasonable excuse
In William Archer v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 0288 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) confirmed that surcharge notices had been validly issued and that the taxpayer did not have a 'reasonable excuse' for non-payment as a result of his related judicial review claim.
Read moreTaxing matters: Schedule 36 Information Notices - all squared away
Welcome to the third episode of our Taxing Matters podcast. In this series we review land-mark cases and key tax developments and discuss the commercial impact they could have on your business.
Read moreMichael Vaughan - High Court declines to rectify contract to prevent tax charge
In (1) MV Promotions Ltd (2) Michael Vaughan v (1) Telegraph Media Group Ltd (2) HMRC [2020] EWHC 1357 (Ch), the High Court elected not to exercise its discretion to rectify a provision in a contract for services, despite a mutual mistake rendering one party liable for additional tax.
Read moreTax Bites - August 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreRoyal Bank of Canada – Canadian bank liable to pay UK tax on assigned oil royalties
In Royal Bank of Canada v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 267 (TC) the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that a Canadian bank was subject to UK tax on royalties assigned to it following its oil company creditor entering receivership.
Read moreTaxing Matters: HMRC ramps up use of Account Freezing and Forfeiture orders
Welcome to the second episode of our Taxing Matters podcast. In this series we review land-mark cases and key tax developments and discuss the commercial impact they could have on your business.
Read moreThe summer of discontent?
What comes to mind when you hear the word "summer"? The unbridled joy of no more school for 6 whole weeks? Buckets, spades and wind-swept beaches? Perhaps the call of a sun-soaked tropical island? For most, summer means taking some time out to recharge and switch off.
Read moreHMRC withdrew more Accelerated Payment Notices than it issued last year
HMRC has been forced to withdraw more of its controversial Accelerated Payment Notices (APNs) than it issued last year says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm. HMRC withdrew 370 incorrectly issued APNs compared to just 220 that were issued in 2019/20.
Read moreV@ update - July 2020
Welcome to RPC's V@, a monthly update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreCorporate Tax update - July 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team. This month’s update reports on some of the key developments from June 2020. Included in this update are a summary of a decision on the correct tax treatment of bonuses paid to members of an LLP, and an AG’s opinion on the VAT reverse charge position of services supplied for non-economic activity purposes. There’s also an update on HMRC guidance on “exceptional” circumstances in which anticipated losses can be used to claim back overpaid corporation tax. Finally, this update also reports on Covid-19 driven extensions to DAC6 reporting deadlines and to deadlines for notifying VAT options to tax. As ever we hope you, your family and friends are all staying safe.
Read moreJJ Management – Court of Appeal confirms HMRC can conduct informal enquiries
In JJ Management Consulting LLP v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 784, the Court of Appeal confirmed that it is within HMRC's powers to assess tax following informal enquiries without the need for HMRC to give notice under section 9A, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA).
Read moreSheiling - Belief in procedural invalidity of APN can constitute reasonable excuse
In Sheiling Properties Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKUT 175 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT), in dismissing an appeal against penalties for non-payment of accelerated payment notices (APNs), confirmed that a reasonable belief that the APNs were invalid could constitute a reasonable excuse for non-payment.
Read moreTaxing Matters: Furlough Fraud
Welcome to the inaugural episode of our Taxing Matters podcast. In this series we review land-mark cases and key tax developments and discuss the commercial impact they could have on your business.
Read morePickles - Credit available for drawing from directors' loan accounts not taxable as distributions
In Pickles v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 00195 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that excessive consideration for goodwill left outstanding on directors' loan accounts was not taxable under section 1020, Corporation Tax Act 2010 (CTA), as distributions.
Read moreAmpleaward - purchaser using UK VAT number not liable for UK acquisition VAT where goods housed in overseas warehousing regime
In Ampleaward Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKUT 0170 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has found in favour of the taxpayer and confirmed that HMRC was not entitled to claim UK acquisition VAT on the purchase of alcohol from a supplier situated in a second EU state, which was then delivered to a tax warehouse in a third EU state.
Read moreTax Bites - July 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreHMRC powers to tackle furlough fraudsters – take action now!
At the time of writing, over 25% of the UK workforce is being supported by the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the furlough scheme) at a cost of around £20 billion. In addition to this, some 2.6 million people are enrolled on the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (the SEISS) at an additional cost of £7.5 billion.
Read moreBella Figura – Unauthorised payment charge set aside
In HMRC v Bella Figura [2020] UKUT, the Upper Tribunal (UT) held that a scheme sanction charge stood as a valid assessment and partially allowed the taxpayer's cross-appeal, setting aside HMRC's assessments of an unauthorised payments charge and surcharge as being out of time.
Read moreCorporate tax update - June 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of our corporate tax update, written by members of RPC’s tax team. This month’s update reports on some of the key developments from May 2020. As well as some further COVID-19 related tax developments, this month’s report also has a bit of a sports theme with summaries of decisions involving an ex-England cricket captain and football referees. As ever we hope you, your family and friends are all staying safe.
Read moreSippchoice – Allowable contributions to a SIPP are restricted to payments of money
In HMRC v Sippchoice Ltd [2020] UKUT 0149 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has allowed HMRC’s appeal and confirmed that 'contributions paid' to a SIPP are restricted to contributions of money and do not encompass transfers of non-monetary assets.
Read moreNCL - Court of Appeal upholds tribunal decisions and confirms that a company was entitled to deductions representing IFRS 2 debits
In HMRC v NCL Investments Ltd and Smith & Williamson Corporate Services Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 663, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that accounting debits relating to the grant of share options to employees were a deductible expense for corporation tax purposes notwithstanding that no monies were actually expended.
Read morePartners and closure notices: making amends
In R (on the application of Amrolia) v HMRC; R (on the application of Ranjit-Singh) v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 488, the Court of Appeal held that notices amending individual partners’ tax returns under section 28B(4), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA), were not closure notices and therefore did not need to specify the final amounts of tax due.
Read moreV@ update - May 2020
Welcome to the first edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreTax Bites - June 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreInvestec - Court of Appeal confirms partnership contributions not deductible
In Investec Asset Finance Plc and Another v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 579, the Court of Appeal has held that partnership contributions were non-deductible, but has upheld the 'no double taxation' principle and prevented HMRC from introducing arguments not previously relied upon.
Read moreGame Match - Football referees held not to be employed for tax purposes – the final whistle for HMRC?
In Professional Game Match Officials Limited v HMRC [2020] UKUT 147 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) confirmed that certain football referees and other match day officials were not employees of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) and accordingly it did not have tax and NICs liabilities in respect of the officials in question.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update May 2020
In this update we report on (1) temporary changes to customs authorisations during the coronavirus outbreak; (2) the government's plans to introduce 10 new freeports; and (3) a new liability for carrying out an operation or dilution on wine. We also comment on three recent cases relating to (1) refusal of permission to appeal an excise duty assessment out of time; (2) the customs classification of mobility scooters; and (3) liability to pay excise duty in relation to the movement of dutiable goods under a suspension regime.
Read moreHenkes – FTT has jurisdiction to determine mixed questions of fact and law on application for closure notice
In Henkes v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 159 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) decided that it has jurisdiction to determine mixed questions of fact and law on an application for a closure notice and appeal against an information notice.
Read moreCorporate tax update - May 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of our corporate tax update, written by members of RPC's tax team. This month's update reports on the key developments from April 2020. April was not a “bumper” month for corporate tax developments but (as you would expect) there have been some Covid-19 related developments of note. This month's report also includes a summary of the Supreme Court's decision in Zipvit (on input VAT recovery). We hope you, your family and friends are all staying safe
Read moreLooney – Termination payments were trading receipts
In Kieran Looney & Anor v HMRC [2020] UKUT 0119 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has dismissed an appeal against the First-tier Tribunal's (FTT) decision that a termination payment and other payments made under a contract entered into by a partnership to provide management training, were trading receipts of a partnership.
Read moreTax Bites - May 2020
Welcome to the first edition of RPC's Tax Bites providing monthly bitesized updates from the tax world.
Read moreCoyle – Upper Tribunal refuses permission to appeal out of time
In Michael Coyle t/a Coyle Transport v HMRC [2020] UKUT 0113 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) set aside the decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) for errors of law, but reached the same conclusion as the FTT and refused the taxpayer permission to appeal out of time.
Read moreVAT update - April 2020
In this month’s update we report on (1) the Value Added Tax (Finance) Order 2020 (SI 2020/209), which amends the fund management exemption; (2) HMRC’s guidance on the deferral of VAT payments due to COVID-19; and (3) HMRC’s guidance on how importers can pay no import duty and VAT on medical supplies, equipment and protective garments.
Read moreDavies – Taxpayers unable to benefit from motive exemption in TOAA or qualify for treaty relief
In Andrew Davies & Others v HMRC [2020] UKUT 67 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) held that the taxpayers did not satisfy the ‘motive exemption’ in the transfer of assets abroad (TOAA) legislation and could not benefit from treaty relief.
Read moreZipvit – Supreme Court considers deduction of input VAT on supplies mistakenly treated as VAT exempt
In Zipvit Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKSC 15, the Supreme Court referred questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding the correct interpretation of Article 168 of the Principal VAT Directive, in connection with the question of whether a recipient of postal services may deduct input VAT in relation to those supplies, where both parties and HMRC had mistakenly treated the supplies as exempt from VAT.
Read moreCOVID-19 – Now is not the time for businesses to be complacent
On 31 March 2020, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) issued guidance(1) on how investigators and prosecutors are proposing to tackle the issuing of new criminal proceedings during 'an unprecedented crisis for the Criminal Justice System in the UK.
Read moreHiggs – FTT lacks jurisdiction to disapply the PAYE Regulations
In Philip Higgs and Others v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 117 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) determined that it did not have jurisdiction to determine whether HMRC is entitled to exercise a discretion under section 684(7A), ITEPA, to disapply the PAYE Regulations.
Read moreCOVID-19: Your workforce – furloughing - act to mitigate the risk of exposure to tax evasion offences as scheme could be open to abuse
Jim Harra, Chief Executive at HMRC, has informed a Treasury Committee meeting that he expects the government's multi-billion pound employee furlough scheme to be targeted by criminals seeking to exploit the £60 billion pledged in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's unprecedented Coronavirus protection package.
Read moreCOVID-19 and tax residence
This blog considers the potential risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to maintaining offshore tax structures.
Read moreFisher – TOAA rules not applicable to sale of business from a UK company to a Gibraltar company
In S Fisher and Others v HMRC [2020] UKUT 62 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) allowed the taxpayers' appeals and held that the transfer of assets abroad rules did not apply to the sale of a business from a UK company to a Gibraltar company, which was under the control of the same directors and shareholders.
Read moreTax update - April 2020
In this month’s update we report on (1) HMRC’s updated guidance on certain arrangements which purport to avoid the ‘managed services companies’ legislation; (2) recently published draft legislation on voluntary restitution in the context of the loan charge; and (3) the Government’s decision to suspend the extension of IR35 to the private sector.
Read moreBooth – Penalty appeal struck out
In CF Booth Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 35 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) struck out the taxpayer's appeal against penalties imposed for deliberate inaccuracies in its VAT returns, on the basis that the appeal amounted to an 'abuse of process'.
Read moreVAT update - March 2020
In this month’s update we report on (1) HMRC’s recently published policy paper in relation to the VAT liability of digital publications; (2) EU Council Regulation (EU) 2020/283 and Council Directive (EU) 2020/284 in relation to combatting VAT fraud; and (3) EU Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 in relation to the special scheme for small enterprises. We also comment on three recent cases which consider (1) whether a specific form is required for the notification of an assessment of VAT; (2) when VAT is collectable as a debt due; and (3) what constitutes a reasonable excuse for incorrectly issuing a zero-rating VAT certificate.
Read moreCredit Suisse: Appeal allowed as HMRC had failed to open a valid enquiry
In Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd and others v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 86 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed a company's appeal against a closure notice on the grounds that HMRC had not issued a valid notice of enquiry.
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