Compliance

Z Brennan (TC4497)

HMRC has launched a consultation Tackling the hidden economy: Extension of data-gathering powers. The government intends to extend HMRC’s powers to gather data from third parties. These would directly affect businesses that act as intermediaries or provide electronic payment services.

Building on the principles established in the January 2015 consultation, HMRC have published Strengthening sanctions for tax avoidance - a consultation on detailed proposals outlining the detail of these measures to ensure that the changes are appropriately designed.

For serial avoiders, it includes:

J Martin v CRC, Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber)

• Strengthening civil deterrents for offshore evaders: HMRC are asking for comments on the options for changing the way they calculate the penalties for offshore evasion and potential safeguards.
• Civil sanctions for enablers of offshore evasion: This consultation sets out the government’s plans to introduce new civil sanctions for enablers of offshore tax evasion. 

The government is to go ahead with its controversial proposal to allow HMRC access to taxpayers’ bank and building society accounts.

The power of direct debt recovery (DRD) will allow the Revenue to take payment of tax and tax credit debts from accounts.

It will have effect from the date of royal assent of the summer Finance Bill 2015, while draft secondary legislation will be published with the bill for consultation.

Eight essential tax cases

J Herbert (TC4395)

The impact of the Liechtenstein disclosure facility’s closure

What are the implications of the omission of perfume from stock figures?

Servbet Ltd (TC4335)

CRC v Munir & others, Chancery Division of the High Court