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

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 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

The latest version of the Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation for tax advisers and accountants has been released by the CIOT and ATT, replacing the February 2014 version and updated to reflect the increasingly heated debate around tax avoidance, ever-increasing HMRC powers and potential conflicts of interest over government secondments

Labour politician Margaret Hodge, who was outspoken in her condemnation of tax avoidance during her time as chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has been forced to issue a statement to counter claims of hypocrisy over her own tax arrangements involving the use of the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) 

CCAB, the joint group representing the main UK accountancy bodies, has launched an initiative to provide easily accessible advice on choosing the right accountant or tax adviser, in a bid to improve access to services from regulated and qualified professionals