Tax Take
Project Blue - Supreme Court allows HMRC's appeal in SDLT sub-sale case
In Project Blue Limited v HMRC [2018] UKSC 30, the Supreme Court (by a majority) has found that section 75A, Finance Act 2003 (an anti-avoidance provision), was applicable resulting in SDLT being payable notwithstanding that sections 45 (sub-sale relief) and 71A (exemption for alternative property finance) Finance Act 2003, would have otherwise resulted in no stamp duty land tax (SDLT) being payable.
Read moreVAT update June 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s consultation on draft legislation imposing VAT reverse charge on the construction industry; the European Commission’s proposal concerning the taxation of intra-EU supplies; and HMRC’s recently published guidance on the VAT treatment of goods supplied on approval.
Read moreBayonet Ventures: Loan by pension scheme was not an unauthorised payment
In Bayonet Ventures LLP & Anor v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 262 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), has held that a loan made to a limited liability partnership (LLP) by a pension scheme in which one of the partners of the LLP was a member, was not an unauthorised payment (section 164, Finance Act 2004) and should not be treated as a loan to the partner (section 863, Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (ITTOIA)) as section 863 only applies if the LLP is carrying on a 'trade, profession or business with a view to profit', which it was not.
Read moreAnderson - Upper Tribunal considers knowledge test for the purpose of discovery assessments
In Jerome Anderson v HMRC [2018] UKUT 159 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has dismissed a football agent's appeal upholding the First-tier Tribunal's (FTT) decision to disallow relief for losses incurred in relation to a football academy ran by the agent. The UT also agreed with the FTT that HMRC had issued a valid discovery assessment.
Read moreBrexit – trade and customs arrangements
In this Brexit Bulletin, we discuss trade and customs arrangements; what has been achieved in the last 6 months and the next steps moving forward.
Read moreDundas: out of time capital allowance claims become valid due to HMRC opening enquiries
In Dundas Heritable Limited v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0244 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer was entitled to make, what would otherwise have been out of time capital allowance claims, as a result of HMRC opening enquiries.
Read moreTax update
In this month’s update we report on Guidance from HMRC on identifying who is an “enabler” of tax avoidance; a consultation on “off-payroll” working by contractors; and HMRC’s update to its International Exchange of Information Manual to reflect amendments to the list of reportable jurisdictions for Common Reporting Standards.
Read moreInvestec: payments to acquire partnership interests were trading in nature
In HMRC v Investec Asset Finance Plc and Another [2018] UKUT 0069 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that payments made to acquire partnership interests are deductible in calculating the profits of the partners’ solo trades of dealing in those partnership interests.
Read moreVAT update
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s cooperation agreement, intended to tackle online VAT fraud; HMRC’s recently published Guidance on online marketplace seller checks; and the government’s pilot for Making Tax Digital for VAT.
Read morePatel: Enquiry and closure notices held to be invalid
In Patel & Anor v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0185 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal ('FTT'), in finding in favour of the taxpayers at a preliminary hearing, has held that HMRC had not opened valid enquiries into the taxpayers' self-assessment returns, as the returns had not been made pursuant to a notice issued by HMRC under section 8(1) Taxes Management Act 1970 ('TMA').
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update
In this update we report on the government’s consultation on Gaming Duty Accounting Periods; the Licensing of Tobacco Manufacturing Machinery; and the European Commission’s consultation on amendments to guarantees. We also comment on three recent cases involving customs classification; excise duty drawback; and excise duty liability on persons with no actual or constructive knowledge of unpaid duty.
Read moreWealth and trusts quarterly digest
Welcome to our latest Wealth and Trusts digest. Our quarterly digest is specifically tailored for you and aims to provide up to date commentary, analysis and guidance on key sector developments. It is written by our wealth and trusts teams to assist you and your clients in responding to market trends and legal developments. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues you may have and always welcome feedback on the content of our publications.
Read moreTooth – discovery assessment invalid as no inaccuracy in return
In HMRC v Tooth [2018] UKUT 38, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has concluded that a discovery assessment issued by HMRC was invalid as the taxpayer's self-assessment did not contain an inaccuracy and in any event there was no deliberate intent by the taxpayer to bring about an insufficiency of tax.
Read moreMDCM Ltd - Tribunal confirms that IR35 does not apply in employment status case
In MDCM Ltd v HMRC [2018] TC 6400, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed the taxpayer's appeal, concluding that its contractual arrangements were such that its principal employee was not an employee of the ultimate contracting company, for the purposes of IR35.
Read moreSippchoice Ltd: Taxpayer can claim income tax deduction for contribution in specie to SIPP
In Sippchoice Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer can obtain tax relief at source in respect of contributions made to s Self-Invested Pension Plan (SIPP) settled in the form of unquoted shares.
Read moreTax update May 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s recently published guidance relating DOTAS for inheritance tax, its guidance for the GAAR and a new consultation relating to tax avoidance involving Profit Fragmentation.
Read moreCorporate tax update
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team and published quarterly.
Read moreOnillon – Failure to take Follower Notice 'corrective action' reasonable in all the circumstances
In Onillon v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 33 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against a penalty imposed for failing to take corrective action following the issue of a Follower Notice (FN) as it was reasonable in all the circumstances for the taxpayer not to take such action.
Read moreVAT update April 2018
In this month’s update we report on the publication of the draft agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; the Government’s “split payment” collection model for online sales by non-UK sellers; and HMRC’s revised guidance on the cost sharing exemption.
Read moreHargreaves: Loyalty pays
In Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management LTD v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 127 (TC) TC06383, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has found that loyalty bonus payments paid to investors were not "annual payments" for the purpose of section 683, ITTOIA.
Read moreVolkswagen: CJEU provides guidance on the time limit for input VAT recovery
In Volkswagen AG v Finančné riaditeľstvo Slovenskej republiky C-533/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has held that Member States cannot impose a time limit on input tax recovery that denies claims before the taxable person is in a position to exercise its right to recover.
Read moreJackson : HMRC penalised in penalties case
In Jackson v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0064 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC had misapplied the law in respect of penalties it had issued to the taxpayer for filing late returns.
Read moreTax update April 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s new Code of Practice 8 guidance, the OECD’s consultation on misuse of residence and citizenship schemes to circumvent the common reporting standard.
Read moreHicks: Discover the limits
In J Hicks v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 22, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), in allowing the taxpayer's appeal, has held that discovery assessments issued by HMRC were invalid as the condition contained in section 29(5), TMA 1970, was not satisfied.
Read moreVAT update March 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s informal VAT grouping consultation; HMRC’s update on its project to digitise the VAT Retail Export Scheme and HMRC’s new guidance for Fast Parcel Operators.
Read moreTaylor Wimpey – Upper Tribunal clarifies the application of the 'builder's block' scheme
In Taylor Wimpey Plc v HMRC [2018] UKUT 55, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has allowed in part the taxpayer's appeal in relation to its claim to recover input VAT incurred on the provision of certain white goods, kitchen appliances and carpets installed in newly built houses.
Read moreTowers Watson – Tribunal confirms HMRC cannot raise new matters not covered in a closure notice
In Towers Watson Limited v HMRC [2017] TC06241, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC cannot raise new matters which were not covered in the closure notice which it had issued to the appellant company.
Read moreGoldsmith - late filing penalties cancelled by the Tribunal
In David Goldsmith v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0005 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has cancelled late filing penalties issued to the taxpayer as the statutory requirements in section 8(1), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA), had not been satisfied and HMRC did not have the power to require the taxpayer to deliver self-assessment returns.
Read moreRowe and Vital Nut – Court of Appeal delivers its judgments in APN judicial review challenge
In Rowe and Vital Nut, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the claimant taxpayers' appeals in judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of Accelerated Payment Notices (APNs) and Partner Payment Notices (PPNs).
Read moreTax update March 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s recently published guidance on the Serial Tax Avoidance Regime, venture capital schemes and non-domicile reforms.
Read moreWealth and trusts quarterly digest
Welcome to our latest wealth and trusts digest. Our quarterly digest provides up to date commentary and analysis on key sector developments. It is written by our wealth and trusts teams to assist you and your clients in responding to market trends and legal developments. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues you may have and always welcome feedback on the content of our publications.
Read moreVAT update - February 2018
In this month’s update we report on the EU Commission’s proposals to reduce VAT compliance costs for small businesses, guidance published by HMRC following the Supreme Court’s decision in InvestmentTrust Companies and the latest consultation to implement “making tax digital” for VAT.
Read moreStadion - CJEU confirms circumstances where different elements of a supply can be taxed at different rates
In Stadion Amsterdam CV v Staatssecretaris van Financiën C-463/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed that, in the absence of specific statutory language to the contrary, a single supply, which includes two individually priced elements, is taxable at the rate of the principle supply.
Read moreBilta: litigation privilege attaches to documents created during internal investigation into VAT claim
In Bilta (UK) Ltd (in liquidation) and ors v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and another [2017] EWHC 2525 (Ch), the High Court has held that documents prepared by the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (RBS) in the course of an investigation into allegations made by HMRC were protected by litigation privilege.
Read moreCorporate tax update
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team and published quarterly. In this final 2017 edition we highlight some of the key tax developments of interest to UK corporates from the fourth quarter of 2017.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update, February 2018
Welcome to the February edition of our customs and excise quarterly update.
Read moreCannon: Tax barrister not careless in relying on advice received from his accountant
In Cannon v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 859 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal has held that a tax barrister was not careless in relying on tax advice received from an accountant retained to give professional advice on specified issues.
Read moreEnglish Holdings - UT allows set-off of corporation tax loss against general income
In English Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 0346 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) upheld a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) which allowed an appeal by a non-UK resident company against a decision of HMRC refusing its claim to offset losses arising in its UK permanent establishment (PE) against profits earned by its UK property rental business.
Read moreTax update - February 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s recently published guidance relating to penalties for enablers of defeated abusive tax arrangements; the publication by the EU of a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in tax matters; and the outcome of HMRC’s consultation on reporting obligations for offshore structures.
Read moreBeneficial House – Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices in tax avoidance case
Beneficial House; Stanley Dock; Chancery (UK) LLP, Valhalla Private Client Services LLP; Business Premises Renovation Allowance; BPRA; Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Scheme rules; DOTAS; Tax on restoration of hotel; HMRC closure notices; closure notices; Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices; application for a closure notice; section 28 TMA..
Read moreVAT Update - January 2018
In this month’s update we report on the VAT treatment of pension fund management services for insurers; the establishment of the EU cross-border prosecution service; and guidance published by HMRC following the Supreme Court’s decision in Littlewoods.
Read moreCooke: Tribunal allows taxpayer's discovery assessment appeal
In Cooke v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 844 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed an appeal against a discovery assessment issued by HMRC pursuant to section 29, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA). The FTT found that the 'hypothetical officer' could have been reasonably expected to be aware that certain claims in the taxpayer's return were excessive.
Read moreUpper Tribunal refuses permission for judicial review of HMRC's policy on prior misapplication of law
In The Queen (on the application of R Clarke and others) v HMRC [2017] UKUT 379, the Upper Tribunal (UT) refused an application for permission to judicially review HMRC's decision not to compensate the taxpayer beyond the scope of its published policy contained in Business Brief 28/04.
Read morePenalties for non-payment of APN can be avoided where it is reasonable to consider an APN unlawful
In Chapman v HMRC, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has confirmed that a reasonable belief that an accelerated payment notice (APN) is unlawful can constitute a reasonable excuse for non-payment.
Read moreSpurs 2 : 0 HMRC – payment on early termination of fixed term contract not taxable as earnings
In Tottenham Hotspur Ltd v HMRC [2017] UKUT 453 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has confirmed the decision of the First-tier Tribunal that payments made by an employer in respect of two football players on early termination of their fixed term contracts were not earnings. They were termination payments and, therefore, were outside the scope of national insurance contributions (NICs).
Read moreUnited Biscuits: High Court rejects claims for refunds of overpaid VAT
In United Biscuits (Pension Trustees) Ltd and another v HMRC [2017] EWHC 2895 (Ch), the High Court held that pension fund management services by non-insurers are standard rated and dismissed the claimant's claim to recover VAT on investment management services for pensions.
Read moreBarclays Wealth Trustees - normal meaning to apply to 'settlement' for IHT purposes
In Barclays Wealth Trustees (Jersey) Ltd and Michael Dreelan v HMRC [2017] EWCA Civ 1512, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that inheritance tax will not apply in circumstances where a transfer between excluded property settlements takes place after a settlor becomes domiciled in the UK.
Read moreTax update December 2017
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s increased activity in respect of the so-called Panama Papers; HMRC’s new guidance in relation to “enablers” of defeated tax avoidance schemes; new settlement terms concerning disguised remuneration; and HMRC’s updated Litigation and Settlement Strategy
Read moreJiminez: High Court quashes information notices issued to non-UK resident taxpayer
In Jimenez v (1) HMRC & (2) The First Tier Tax Tribunal [2017] EWHC 2585 (Admin), the High Court has quashed an information notice given by HMRC to a non-UK resident taxpayer.
Read moreVAT update November 2017
In this month’s update we report on the Office of Tax Simplification’s first report on VAT, the draft regulations concerning the fulfilment house due diligence scheme, and HMRC’s revised guidance on input tax deduction for funded occupational pension schemes.
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