Latest by Adam Craggs
Financial Crime Time – Your Update from RPC: 2021 Q1
Welcome to the latest edition of our round-up of news making the headlines in the world of financial crime and compliance. Our aim is to give you an easily digestible, bite-sized overview of issues that may affect your business.
Read moreTax Bites - April 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreV@ update - March 2021
Welcome to the March 2021 edition of RPC's V@, an update which provides analysis and news from the VAT world relevant to your business.
Read moreSpotlight on private wealth - March 2021
Our quarterly update is designed to keep you up to speed with developments in the private wealth world.
Read moreThe long arm of HMRC
Adam Craggs and Alice Kemp outline the powers HMRC has at its disposal when conducting a criminal rather than civil investigation.
Read moreHMRC Crackdown on Covid-19 Fraud
In the March 2021 Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the creation of a new major fraud taskforce, the Taxpayer Protection Taskforce, established as part of a wide-reaching crackdown on criminals exploiting UK government support schemes. The new taskforce represents one of the all-time largest responses to a fraud risk by HMRC.
Read moreTax Bites - March 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreV@ update - February 2021
Welcome to the February 2021 edition of RPC's V@, an update which provides analysis and news from the VAT world relevant to your business.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly - February 2021
In this update we report on (1) HMRC's proposed new powers to combat illicit tobacco trading; (2) a policy paper setting out how the temporary and pre-lodgement models will operate to control goods coming from the EU to Great Britain; and (3) HMRC Guidance that can be used to check whether a business holds Authorised Economic Operator status.
Read moreTax Bites - February 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreV@ update - January 2021
Welcome to the January 2021 edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreSpotlight on private wealth - December 2020
Our quarterly update is designed to keep you up to speed with developments in the private wealth world.
Read moreTax Bites - December 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreV@ update - November 2020
Welcome to the November 2020 edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreHMRC issues nudge letters targeting residence and domicile
In an extension of its 'nudge' letters campaign, HMRC is writing to wealthy taxpayers encouraging them to bring their tax affairs into line.
Read moreTax Bites - November 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreJurisdiction and the Rule of Law
In R (oao Boulting & Anor) v HMRC [2020] EWHC 2207 (Admin), the High Court refused permission to bring a judicial review claim against HMRC, on the basis that the taxpayer had an 'alternative remedy'.
Read moreV@ update - October 2020
Welcome to the October 2020 edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreTax Bites - October 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreContentious tax: quarterly review - September 2020
The increased flow of information and data to HMRC under the common reporting standard (CRS) has prompted a flurry of so-called ‘nudge’ letters to be issued by HMRC to taxpayers whose offshore affairs it considers may not be in order.
Read moreHMRC to gain further information gathering powers
Draft legislation, published as part of Finance Bill 2020/21, will, if enacted, grant HMRC the power to issue 'Financial Institution Notices', requiring certain financial institutions to disclose information they hold about certain taxpayer(s) and their assets, without the safeguards which are currently in place.
Read moreV@ update - September 2020
Welcome to the September 2020 edition of RPC's V@, an update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business.
Read moreSpotlight on private wealth - September 2020
Our quarterly update is designed to keep you up to speed with developments in the private wealth world.
Read moreTax Bites - September 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
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 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 moreTax Bites - August 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
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 moreTax Bites - July 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites - providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
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 moreV@ update - June 2020
Welcome to RPC's V@, a monthly update on developments in the VAT world that may impact your business. In this month’s update we report on (1) VAT treatment on fixed odds betting terminals and gaming machines; (2) VAT treatment of property search fees charged by solicitors and conveyancers; and (3) domestic reverse charge VAT for construction services delay in implementation.
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 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 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 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 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 moreSpotlight on private wealth - April 2020
Our quarterly update is designed to keep you up to speed with developments in the private wealth world. In this edition we explore sham trusts, heritage property and removing trustees. We also keep pace with the latest developments in the art sector. If you have any feedback on this update or would like to know more about the issues covered, or anything else, get in touch.
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 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 moreContentious tax quarterly review (Q4 2019)
In this quarterly review we consider: HMRC’s increasing propensity to seek to strike out the taxpayer’s case; recent developments in relation to IR35; the timing of tribunal decisions; and the potential implications of the Inverclyde decision.
Read moreLocke – Court of Appeal quashes follower and accelerated payment notices
In R (on the application of Locke) v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1909, the Court of Appeal quashed follower and accelerated payment notices issued to a participant in a film finance partnership, because HMRC had been wrong in considering that a judicial ruling was relevant to the arrangements under consideration.
Read moreJJ Management: No need to stand on formalities
It would appear from the decision of the High Court in R (oao JJ Management LLP and Ors) v HMRC [2019] EWHC 2006 (Admin), that HMRC can conduct informal enquiries outside of section 9A, Taxes Management 1970 (TMA).
Read moreTax update October 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) the independent review of the disguised remuneration loan charge; (2) HMRC’s guidance on preparing for the off-payroll working changes which come into effect from April 2020; and (3) HMRC’s updated guidance on the tax registration of non-resident companies. We also comment on three recent cases relating to (1) an application for final and partial closure notices; (2) the validity of an enquiry; and (3) pre-entry loss rules.
Read moreCorporate tax update September 2019
This month’s update reports on the key developments from August 2019. Although this was a relatively quiet month in the corporate tax world, this update includes summaries of an important Upper Tribunal decision on the correct tax treatment of “trail commissions” and a First-tier Tribunal decision on the recovery of pre-incorporation input VAT.
Read moreVAT update September 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) changes to the reduced rate for energy-saving materials; (2) the VAT rule changes for higher education; and (3) new regulations amending the rules on when VAT adjustments may be made following a change to the price of goods and services. We also comment on three recent cases relating to (1) the refusal of a claim for the repayment of under-recovered input VAT; (2) the repayment of input VAT charged on the acquisition of single farm payment entitlement units; and (3) a notice of security issued with no explanation for the demand.
Read moreContentious tax: quarterly review (Q3 2019)
In this quarterly review, Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane consider HMRC’s increasing propensity to seek the production of documents from accountants and other professional advisers, HMRC’s new policy of challenging taxpayers’ loan relationships, and the increase in the number of domicile enquiries launched by HMRC.
Read moreANO - pre-ordained transactions avoided CGT losses being caught by pre-entry loss rules
In ANO (No1) Limited v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 406 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a pre-ordained series of transactions implemented to avoid the application of Schedule 7A, Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA) to pre-entry losses were effective.
Read moreCorrado – Tribunal cancels follower notice penalties
In Giulio Corrado v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 275 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has set aside a follower notice penalty as the taxpayer's failure to take corrective action in response to a follower notice was reasonable in all the circumstances.
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