The rapid move to digital tax accounts means that HMRC must improve the quality of its online messaging to ensure that the unfortunate case of Mr Halford (TC5048) does not become commonplace, warns Yvette Nunn, director of Berkeley Associates

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has confirmed the date for its stakeholder conference next month, offering an opportunity to discuss future tax development including proposals to reform small business tax and a potential merger of income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs)

HMRC is trialling the idea of sending ‘thank you’ letters to taxpayers as part of moves to improve relationships, according to evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which was examining National Audit Office (NAO) reports on poor customer service levels in 2014/15

A shortage of skilled IT specialists and outstanding questions about the future IT model when HMRC replaces the annual £700m CapGemini Aspire contract with the cheaper Columbus setup from 2017, are key risks for the tax authorities

HMRC’s making tax digital (MTD) plans will require businesses to submit quarterly updates of their tax and financial status using software which is compatible with HMRC’s own systems, to allow for direct transfer of data, according to information supplied to the Treasury select committee in response to concerns raised over the cost and complexity of the new requirements

Due to planned maintenance advisers and taxpayers will not be able to access HMRC Online Services overnight on 7 June

Referendum jitters delay consultations on digital tax accounts, rental toolkit for buy-to-let updated, and case reports on HMRC wins appeal in Fidex avoidance case, G4S loses appeal to offset parking fines as an expense and discovery assessments invalid in Bubb rules Court of Appeal

The rush to move to digital tax accounts with HMRC's overly ambitious Making Tax Digital programme is leaving tax advisers and agents frustrated, says Andrew Jackson, head of tax at Fiander Tovell LLP

The long build-up to the EU referendum on 23 June has seen delays in the normal day-to-day business of government, while HMRC plans to consult on the major transition to digital tax accounts have been delayed despite the July deadline to start beta testing of quarterly reporting, says Sara White

The government has announced it will officially go live next week with gov.uk Verify, the online service taxpayers will need to use to prove their identity before accessing HMRC’s digital services and other government online offerings

HMRC is running a trial designed to improve self assessment online returns process for taxpayers and iron out problems with the final filing process

HMRC is to delay the consultations on the technical details for the rollout of digital tax accounts and quarterly reporting until after the referendum on 23 June despite plans to start beta testing on quarterly reporting this July