In light of fierce criticism from tax advisers, accounting and law firms, as well as the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the government has backed down on its initial plans to include inheritance tax (IHT) within the new framework to change existing DOTAS rules governing the hallmarks describing schemes which must be disclosed

A roundup of ongoing consultations from HMRC and the Treasury, including detailed plans for the higher rate SDLT surcharge for buy-to-let landlords and the ramifications for those owning 15 properties or more, plans to tighten up company distribution rules, abolition of Class 4 NICs, review of DITMOs and Gift Aid small donations scheme

Government plans to simplify small company taxation and merge income tax and national insurance for individual taxpayers need to be logical and sensible to avoid creating yet further tax complexity, says Bill Dodwell, head of tax policy at Deloitte

A roundup of ongoing consultations from HMRC and the Treasury, including detailed plans for the higher rate SDLT surcharge for buy-to-let landlords and the ramifications for those owning 15 properties or more, plans to tighten up company distribution rules, the abolition of Class 4 NICs, review of DITMOs and Gift Aid small donations scheme

The Treasury is consulting on plans to give the Bank of England’s financial policy committee (FPC) greater powers to intervene in the buy-to-let (BTL) market over fears that mortgage lending in this sector carry risks to financial stability

The government is changing the instalment payment dates for corporation tax for ‘very large companies’ with annual taxable profits exceeding £20m from 2017 and has issued draft legislation for review

Essential tax updates from mass HMRC office closures to key court ruling in Rangers FC and potential £6m legal bill for HMRC over FII Group case, tax chief Homer defends agent reforms at ICAEW Hardman lecture, disputed employee benefits trusts (EBTs) in Rangers FC ruling hinges on case law and Gift Aid changes for partners raise stakes on tax liability

Individuals who use umbrella companies to shelter from tax may need to swiftly review their arrangements or face punitive consequences, in light of the recent consultation into employment intermediaries and tax relief for travel and subsistence, says Jaimie Kaffash