P Bristow (TC3146)
HMRC tackled record levels of online fraud in the run-up to last month’s self assessment deadline, the department has revealed.
Taxpayers reported 23,247 incidents of phishing o the Revenue during the three months to 31 January: an increase of 47% on the same period a year earlier. As a result, the department closed 178 web sources of bogus emails offering tax refunds during January 2014, marking year-on-year growth of 274%
The taxman was alerted to more than 91,000 incidents of phishing during the whole of 2013 and put a stop to 1,476 sites.
S Varma (TC3147)
The online filing deadline for self assessment returns has been extended by a fortnight for some taxpayers, it is understood.
Tolley Tax is reporting on an automated HMRC email response to a requests for a user ID that included a reminder to “file your tax return online before midnight 15 February to avoid receiving a penalty”.
The taxman’s powers to withhold repayments
E N Jones (TC3085)
The Upper Tribunal’s revised Rouse decision, following the Supreme Court ruling in Cotter, further muddies the waters of the self assessment process
Smart Polymers Ltd (TC2987)
HMRC have announced plans for paperless self assessment (SA), which will see online filers receive all official communications electronically.
The Revenue received 7.65m digital SA submissions in 2011/12 – 80.9% of the total number of returns for the year – but only 25% of taxpayers’ interactions with the department are online.
Harding v CRC, Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber)
P Stratton (TC2967)
K Okeke (TC2957)