HMRC has changed the dedicated phone number for the coronavirus helpline targeted at businesses and the self employed to 0800 024 1222 to increase load capacity, reports Sara White

The government has announced that estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls that have closed as a result of covid-19 measures to restrict the spread of the virus will be now be exempted from business rates in 2020-21

HMRC has set out its views on the main tax impacts for businesses as a result of reforms to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other benchmark rates

HMRC has updated its technical note on the changes to the lifetime limit for entrepreneurs’ relief, which has been cut to £1m, detailing an additional anti-forestalling rule

Following the Bank of England’s base rate cut, HMRC has cut the interest rates charged on underpaid corporation tax quarterly instalments and interest paid on overpaid quarterly payments

The government has introduced emergency legislation to enact a moratorium on commercial landlord sanctions and debt enforcement for at least three months so that those who cannot pay their rent because of cashflow difficulties related to coronavirus will be protected from eviction, reports Pat Sweet

HMRC has released a slew of research reports on progress with its flagship Making Tax Digital (MTD) online reporting regime, suggesting that businesses which have fully automated are seeing some benefits, but those with a hybrid approach are finding the transition more challenging

HMRC has launched a 10-week consultation on ways to tackle abuse of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) to prevent tax loss, including new powers to correct deductions

HMRC is consulting on proposals, first advanced in the Budget, that the UK’s largest businesses will be required to notify HMRC where they have adopted an uncertain tax treatment, in a bid to close the £6.2bn legal interpretation tax gap

HMRC is to stop automatically sending taxpayers paper self assessment forms except for exempt individuals who cannot file digitally

Specialist counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, is to be added to the list of non-taxable occupational health services provided by employers, in a bid to support improvements in individuals’ health

The manufacturer of a range of vegan truffle balls has failed in a bid to have the product zero rated for VAT as food, with the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) ruling they are a sweet treat for occasional enjoyment rather than a meal replacement