HMRC guidance

HMRC has published the following:

·         Agent update 61 (August/September 2017): HMRC’s bi-monthly round-up of the latest developments in tax, HMRC service and consultations for accountants and tax professionals;

·         Notice 700: The VAT guide: cancels and replaces the November 2016 version;

·         Non-resident CGT charge on disposals of UK residential property: penalties section updated to clarify that late-payment interest, as well as penalties, may be charged on any non-resident CGT paid after the 30-day notification and payment deadline;

·         HMRC guide to trusts and IHT: updated to include information on how trusts affect the availability of the residence nil-rate band, which applies where an individual dies on or after 6 April 2017 leaving their home to direct descendants;

·         How downsizing, selling or gifting a home affects the additional IHT threshold: updates the information originally included in HMRC’s November 2016 guidance on the residence nil-rate band;

·         Childcare service compensation: guidance on compensation for tax-free childcare claimants who, owing to technical problems with the online childcare service, have been unable to complete applications, access childcare accounts, or receive timely eligibility decisions;

·         Making a voluntary disclosure: updated in August 2017 with alternative contact details for employers disclosing inaccuracies in respect of inbound foreign nationals on assignment to the UK, for whom HMRC’s digital disclosure service is not intended;

·         NIC/Pensions Countdown Bulletin Issue 26: includes articles on: SRS and closure queries; ‘not in scheme’ queries; active member queries; GMP increments starting after 6 April 2016; and late expressions of interest to register for SRS; 

·         VAT appeal updates: updated list of cases that HMRC has lost and which it considers could have wider implications;

·         Notice 554: Fuel used in private pleasure craft and for private pleasure flying: updates the November 2014 version with a new HMRC contact telephone number for setting up payments by electronic transfer, Bacs or CHAPS; and

·         Payrolling employees’ taxable benefits and expenses: updated to remove references to the 6 July deadline for employees to make good non-payrolled benefits-in-kind, which is expected to be re-introduced in the Autumn Finance Bill and have effect for the 2017/18 tax year onwards.