Is the Christmas party tax allowable?
It may be several weeks away, but many of us will have already booked our work Christmas parties and functions to celebrate. But what are the costs to your business of the Christmas party and what is tax…
Almost £2m of laptops and phones have been lost by HMRC
A freedom of information request made to HMRC has revealed that its staff has lost almost £2 million worth of laptops and mobile phones since 2021. Over 3,500 devices have been reported as lost, including 507 laptops and…
Is there VAT on public transport?
Clients often ask us what VAT is applied to public transport, and what they can claim back on their VAT returns as input VAT. The short answer is, usually nothing. Trains and buses Trains and public buses are…
AI being used by HMRC to scan social media for suspected tax cheats
HMRC has confirmed that it is using AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to scan the social media accounts of suspected tax fraudsters as part of their drive to increase the use of AI in the tax system. Up until…
Government to give HMRC £500m to boost AI
In an effort to increase its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, HMRC is to receive £500m from the Government to invest in a new AI digital assistant that should hopefully reduce phone line traffic and wait times. Called ‘Ask…
HMRC triples its CGT investigations to target amateur traders and crypto users
HMRC has tripled its investigations into capital gains tax (CGT), with an extra £202.4 million of tax pulled in. Capital gains tax is levied against profits on the disposal of capital assets such as second homes, share holdings,…
HMRC phone lines have been criticised as not up to the job
It will come as little surprise to anyone who has had to call HMRC in the last six months, but a report by the Public Accounts Committee has stated that HMRC was running a “deliberately poor” phone service…
What is a P11D Benefits in kind and do you need to file one?
What is a P11D? The P11D form is a statutory form required to be filed with HMRC by those businesses that provide benefits to their employees that do not go through the PAYE system. You will also need…
What does my tax code mean? 2025/26 Edition
What exactly do all the numbers and letters in my tax code mean? And what do I do if I think it’s wrong? HMRC generate your tax code based on the information that they hold about you and…
Tax evasion or tax avoidance?
What’s the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance? Celebrities and sports stars alike have been in the news in recent years, hitting the headlines for their tax avoidance. But they haven’t actually done anything illegal. We will…