New crackdown on illicit tobacco

HMRC has continued to tackle the UK’s most notorious hotspots for the sale and supply of illicit tobacco as part of its overall remit to tackle tax fraud. This has resulted in the seizure of more than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling...

HMRC pledges £5.5m in partnership funding

HMRC is awarding £5.5 million to voluntary and community organisations to support customers who may need extra help with their tax affairs. HMRC is inviting eligible organisations to bid for the funding, worth £1.8 million a year from 2024 until 2027,...

Business records if self-employed

If you are self-employed as a sole trader or as a partner in a business partnership, then you must keep suitable business records as well as separate personal records of your income.  For tax purposes, the business records must be held for at least 5 years from...

Connected persons for tax purposes

The definition of a connected person for tax purposes can be complex. A statutory definition of “connected persons” for Capital Gains Tax purposes is set out in Section 286 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act (TCGA) 1992. The legislation states: "...

Exempt company purchase of own shares

Most payments a company makes to its shareholders, in respect of their shares, will be qualifying distributions (usually described as dividends) and may be subject to Income Tax. If certain conditions are met, the payment can be treated as an exempt distribution. An...