HMRC U-turn on helpline closures
Earlier this week, HMRC announced that it would be scaling back its tax helplines, a move that was widely criticised. It has now seemingly reversed the decision. What’s going on?
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Deadline to pay Class 1B NI
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Company owners' personal tax affairs under scrutiny
Company owners are being urged to check their personal tax affairs as a new compliance campaign focuses on transactions between limited companies and the people who control them. Loans, personal expenses and the use of company assets are among the areas attracting attention. Could you have overlooked a tax liability?
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HMRC speeds up National Insurance refunds
HMRC has confirmed that it is using a new automated process to speed up National Insurance refunds. Where its records suggest that someone may have overpaid, HMRC will write to them asking them to check their employment and contribution details before any refund is processed. Could you be due money back?
Earlier this week HMRC announced cuts to several phone services, including closing of the self-assessment helpline for six months. The intention was to allocate staff resources elsewhere and make taxpayers move to online services such as the HMRC app. The changes were supposed to be permanent, with helplines open only for priority queries at critical times. However, the announcement was met with substantial criticism from the CIOT president who described the move as “misguided”.
In response to the backlash, HMRC issued another press release stating that its plans would be halted while it engages with its stakeholders about how to ensure all taxpayers’ needs - including small businesses' - are met as HMRC shifts more people to online self-service in the longer term. Phonelines will therefore remain open for now.
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