The Treasury has slapped a £1m fine on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for failing to check payment arrangements for temporary workers who were found to be on off-payroll arrangements, contrary to new government rules

Senior HSBC executives and HMRC officials, including former head of tax Dave Hartnett, are due back in front of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next week, as MPs take further evidence for their  inquiry into tax avoidance and evasion. 

From the new tax year, the government will abolish the 10% starting rate of tax for savings, replacing it with a new zero percent rate, as announced in last year’s Budget but savers need to bear in mind the possible impact on Gift Aid  

HMRC has launched a short web-based survey on how it could improve its dealings and general communications with the tax agent community

In line with a general move to clamp down on offshore tax evasion and avoidance, the Italian government has closed a limited window under which countries considered as tax havens could sign information exchange agreements and secure reduced penalties in disclosing taxes 

The rules for employment status tax issues need to be overhauled, according to the latest report from the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) which is calling for clearer guidance from HMRC when dealing with employment status tax compliance issues around defining whether people are self-employed, including greater manpower resources at the tax office and a dedicated telephone helpline

HMRC has issued a final warning to solicitors that the three-month settlement window for legal profession is set to close in one week and is open to individuals who have potentially unpaid tax bills dating back to 1993

An overview of ongoing HMRC consultations including non-doms – minimum claim period for remittance basis charge, strengthening sanctions for tax avoidance and a discussion document on changes to HMRC penalties