Child benefit goes digital
Child benefit payments take up to 16 weeks to commence. Now, HMRC has launched an online claim service for new parents which it says will take ten minutes to complete, and as little as three days for payments to arrive. What will you need to use the new service?
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HMRC clarifies treatment of averaging relief under MTD IT
HMRC has updated its guidance to explain how averaging relief claims will operate under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT). The clarification addresses concerns about how farmers and creators will claim relief once quarterly reporting becomes mandatory. What has changed?
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Double up on the employment allowance
You’re the sole shareholder of a limited company which employs several members of staff. You’re working on plans to start another business with an ex-colleague. Can both businesses benefit from the full employment allowance (EA)?
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VAT cut for children's holiday activities over summer
The government has announced a temporary reduction in the rate of VAT applying to certain children's holiday activity programmes during the summer holidays. The measure is intended to help families with childcare costs during the school break. What has changed?
HMRC has launched a digital application form for child benefit claims, following a successful pilot. The majority of new claimants will be able to use the service as long as they have (or obtain) a Government Gateway ID. The link to start a new claim can be found here. There is also a helpful video explaining how to make a claim. You will need information from a number of documents, namely your:
- child’s birth or adoption certificate
- bank or building society details
- National Insurance number
- partner’s National Insurance number, if you have one.
However, claims for children whose birth was registered outside the UK will still need original documents to be sent by post. An application can be made as soon as the birth is registered, and can be backdated by up to twelve weeks.





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