Commentators are predicting a continuing crackdown on aggressive tax planning as the most likely focus from a new Conservative government which pledged not to increase the rates of VAT, income tax or National Insurance contributions before it was swept to power last week with a 12-seat majority

A North Yorkshire bookseller who made over £320,000 of fraudulent VAT repayment claims has been sentenced following an investigation by HMRC

Australia has outlined plans to introduce a multinational tax avoidance law targeting 30 companies, which it claims will go further than the UK’s recently announced Diverted Profits Tax (DPT), which came into effect in April 

The Conservatives have won a 12-seat majority and prime minister David Cameron has started to put together a new Cabinet, confirming key ministerial appointments including the reappointment of the Chancellor

HMRC’s industrial relations look set for a shake up with the ending of a system for automatic payment of trade union membership dues coinciding with the launch of a new trade union actively recruiting tax department staff

In one of the biggest upsets of the general election Ed Balls, who would have been Chancellor in a future Labour government, has lost his seat and will not be returning to Westminster with the new intake of MPs

As the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project gathers pace, multinational companies are evenly divided over whether it is likely to create a more sustainable global tax system, even though most are in favour of international tax reforms, according to research by Taxand, coinciding with a major BEPS conference in Istanbul this week

The Indian government is one step closer to reaching agreement on an overhaul of the local sales tax regime as the lower house of parliament voted through plans to introduce a single rate goods and services tax (GST) across the country

HMRC has updated the guidance for tax agents and advisers on common errors on property rental in tax returns. It will also be helpful to anyone who is completing an income tax self assessment tax return as it outlines the risks associated with claiming expenses and capital allowances, and limits on offsetting earnings from buy-to-let properties

Care and support employers, including people who employ carers to look after themselves or sick relatives, can claim an employment allowance to reduce their employer/secondary class 1 National Insurance bill by up to £2,000 a year from 6 April 2015