Monthly Archives: March 2014

Tax on Banks – Smoke and Mirrors

Posted on March 27, 2014 by

UK banks paid a high figure in tax, according to a report from a big consultancy firm. Well they would say that wouldn’t they? But as a tax barrister I am worried about the multi-£billions of taxpayers money used to … Continue reading →

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Court of Appeal Rules on Liability of Non-Tax Specialist Accounting Firms

Posted on March 27, 2014 by

The Court of Appeal has ruled that non-tax specialist accounting firms do not have an open-ended liability for tax advice. In Mehjoo vs. Harben Barker [2014] EWCA Civ 358 an Iranian businessman living in the UK since 1971 and a … Continue reading →

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Finance Bill Published

Posted on March 27, 2014 by

The Finance (No.2) 2013-14 Bill has been published today. A copy can be seen on Parliament’s website which also helpfully tracks the progress of the Bill. A little light reading for tax fans ! http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/financeno2.html Eamon McNicholas Tax Barrister, Accountant … Continue reading →

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HMRC Used Anti-Terror Law to Investigate its Own Whistleblower

Posted on March 26, 2014 by

The Public Accounts Committee was shocked to find HMRC had used anti-terror laws to investigate a whistleblower from within HMRC. In Parliament this week the Committee questioned HMRC about an ex-HMRC employee who blew the whistle to the Committee itself … Continue reading →

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Inheritance Tax-Take Just Keeps Going Up

Posted on March 25, 2014 by

The tax-take from inheritance tax (IHT) just keeps going up and up. Currently IHT brings in about £3.5 billion a year. But the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR), which checks the governments figures, has increased its estimate of the IHT … Continue reading →

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VAT Registration Limit Raised to £81,000

Posted on March 25, 2014 by

Following the Budget the registration limits for VAT have been raised by Statutory Instrument SI 2014/703. As from 1st April 2014 the registration limit in VAT Act schedule 1 goes up to £81,000, amongst other changes. An important point to … Continue reading →

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Finance Bill Due 21st March

Posted on March 22, 2014 by

Following the Budget the Finance Bill will be published on Thursday 21st March. Every Budget produces lots of political spin, but it is only when the fine detail is published that the real deal can be analysed. Eamon McNicholas Tax … Continue reading →

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