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VAT option to tax: changes to the notification process
VAT option to tax: changes to the notification process

HMRC will no longer issue option to tax notification receipt letters from 1 February 2023. Supplies of land and buildings are normally exempt from VAT, but it is possible to opt to tax the land/property which may allow some recovery on expenses if VAT is charged on...

Autumn Statement 2022 – key tax announcements
Autumn Statement 2022 – key tax announcements

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has given his first Autumn Statement. We have highlighted below some of the key tax announcements made by the Chancellor:   Personal tax thresholds The Chancellor has announced that personal tax thresholds will be frozen for a further...

Autumn Statement 2022
Autumn Statement 2022

Autumn Statement 2022 On 17 November 2022, the government undertook the third fiscal statement in as many months, against a backdrop of rising inflation and economic recession. The Chancellor laid out three core priorities of stability, growth and public services. The...

New Chancellor reverses most of the Mini-Budget tax cuts
New Chancellor reverses most of the Mini-Budget tax cuts

The new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reversed many of the tax cuts announced by his predecessor, Kwasi Kwarteng, just last month in the Mini-Budget.  We have summarised the key changes below.   Corporation Tax The planned increase to corporation tax, from 19% to...

Mini Budget – September 2022
Mini Budget – September 2022

Chancellor brings forward further medium-term fiscal plan measures As the saying goes, a week is a long time in politics. However, recent events have been unprecedented. At the Mini Budget a new Prime Minister and Chancellor launched a new agenda, ‘The Growth Plan’....

Mini-budget announcement – 5 key tax changes
Mini-budget announcement – 5 key tax changes

Following the recent appointment of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss. There has been a cabinet reshuffle with Kwasi Kwarteng appointed Chancellor. Following his appointment, the new Chancellor announced a ‘Mini-budget’ which took place this morning. This was one of...

How to avoid penalties for Making Tax Digital for VAT?
How to avoid penalties for Making Tax Digital for VAT?

Filing VAT returns Businesses must file their VAT returns using functional compatible software.  Most businesses are doing this successfully, but those who do not may be charged a £400 penalty for each VAT return filed. Keeping records digitally Businesses must also...

Tax Rates and Allowances 2022/23
Tax Rates and Allowances 2022/23

Introduction We have summarised the key rates and allowances which are fundamental to our business and personal lives. We are sure that you will find them a useful point of reference and have set out below a few examples of how they can be used. Personal tax rates As...

What is the Postponed VAT Accounting system?
What is the Postponed VAT Accounting system?

The Postponed VAT Accounting (PIVA) system for imported goods was introduced on 1 January 2021 and allows VAT registered businesses to declare and, subject to the normal rules, reclaim import VAT on the same VAT return. This avoids VAT being paid to HMRC on import and...

Hawsons successfully settles VAT Case
Hawsons successfully settles VAT Case

We have successfully settled another VAT case and reduced the tax liability from over £4M to zero, for one of our clients. Our client, calculating and submitting their own VAT returns, had neglected to keep proper export evidence.  HMRC conducted a VAT visit and...

VAT and Making Tax Digital
VAT and Making Tax Digital

On 1 April 2019 (this was not a joke!!) HMRC introduced Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT.  Businesses above the current VAT threshold of £85,000 have since needed to submit their VAT returns using “functional compatible software”. As of 1 April 2022, all VAT...