HMRC confirms closure of VAT helpline
The VAT registration helpline, which many businesses use to raise queries about whether they need to register for VAT, is to be closed at very short notice. Why is HMRC scrapping the service and when?
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Could a special method increase your profits?
Your business has used the same partial exemption method for many years. Is it time to consider if a different method will improve your input tax recovery?
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EVs and the tax-free mileage allowance
You’re a director and regularly use your electric vehicle (EV) for business journeys. Your company provides a workplace charger which is free for all staff to use. Does the origin of the electricity impact your claim for tax-free mileage?
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HMRC loses employment status case involving football referees
HMRC has lost another employment status case, this time involving football referees engaged by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL). The tribunal rejected HMRC’s argument that the referees should be treated as employees for tax purposes. Why does the decision matter?
The VAT registration helpline will no longer operate from Monday 22 May. HMRC notified registered agents with just five days’ notice earlier this week. Initially, there was some confusion as the email stated that the closure date would be 22 May 2024. However, it has since transpired this was an error. Justifying the move, HMRC stated that 85% of the calls to the helpline are businesses or agents requesting updates regarding applications. HMRC feels that staff time would be far better spent on actually processing VAT registrations instead. This follows a temporary cessation of the service in early May, which allowed more than 4,000 additional items of post to be processed.
If you have submitted a registration, HMRC is asking that you use the “Where’s my reply?” tool to let you know approximately when to expect a response. However, HMRC also says that registrations can take up to 40 days. If you haven’t had your response in this window, contact HMRC using the dedicated email vrs.newregistrations@hmrc.gov.uk.
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