For taxpayers facing a computation headache after the festive fun finishes, HMRC is providing a new online chat service to customers with self assessment (SA) queries in the run-up to the SA deadline on 31 January

Following the sweeping reforms to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) announced at Autumn Statement 2014, HMRC has issued a guidance note providing further details of the changes that are being made and how they affect purchases made after 3 December 2014

Following the announcement in the Autumn Statement, HMRC has published a discussion document seeking views on the use of overarching contracts of employment (OAC) by employment intermediaries in the temporary labour market, particularly focusing umbrella companies hiring temporary workers and relief for travel and subsistence expenses, for comment by 10 February 2015.

Plans to introduce legislation to control monitored promoters of tax avoidance schemes have now entered the final stage with the release of a third consultation on the regulations needed to support the Promoters of Tax Avoidance Schemes (POTAS) legislation

HMRC has introduced a new online payment service for taxpayers to pay their Self Assessment or VAT bill by debit card to replace the current Billpay arrangements.

HMRC says it has pulled in £32m as a result of sending out its first tranche of Accelerated Payment notices to users of marketed tax avoidance schemes, who are now required to pay any disputed tax upfront

The Scottish government faces potential chaos next April when its first two devolved taxes come into force, as delays in hiring staff and procuring IT systems will make it difficult to manage the new tax powers effectively according to a report from Audit Scotland

Tax burdens and revenue collection in advanced economies are back at pre-financial crisis levels according to the OECD’s annual analysis, which also shows that the UK has one of the highest rates of property taxes

All HMRC 0845 helpline telephone numbers will be taken out of service by 11 December 2014 and replaced with 03 prefix numbers