The US government’s investigation into French plans to implement a digital services tax (DST) has started with US tech companies arguing it is a discriminatory move and calling for multilateral cooperation to address changes to the international tax system

Chancellor Sajid Javid has moved swiftly to backtrack on claims he is considering changing the way in which stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is levied, so it moves from the purchaser to the vendor of a property, although he has indicated an overhaul of the tax regime for buying and selling homes is a top priority

The government is under pressure to take action on business rates, with over 50 major retailers supporting recommendations designed to fix what they describe as ‘the broken business rates system’  

MPs and contractors are intensifying pressure on the Chancellor to review the loan charge which has seen contractors paying retrospective tax bills on remuneration schemes which were outside PAYE, some dating back 20 years

There will be a fast-tracked one-year spending review to ensure departments can focus on delivering Brexit by 31 October, the Chancellor has confirmed, as the normal three-year spending review is delayed

The UK continues to charge VAT on e-books, audio books and online newspapers despite changes to EU VAT rules introduced last year and since adopted by a growing number of member states

The government is looking at setting up a string of freeports around the UK providing duty-free trade zones with tax and customs duty advantages

Following the appointment of the former chair of the Treasury Committee, Nicky Morgan MP, as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, there will be an election after the summer recess for a new chair

Boris Johnson has named Sajid Javid as Chancellor of the Exchequer in one of his first top ministerial appointments as prime minister, with Rishi Sunak as number two at the Treasury    

The apprenticeship levy, designed to boost workplace training, has proved an ‘empty promise’ and needs urgent reform, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

As Boris Johnson prepares to become prime minister, Chris Etherington, partner at RSM, examines his potential tax bill from income to property taxes on multiple residences, personal earnings to tax reliefs, not to mention the future prospect of the public duty cost allowance (PDCA)