HMRC's definition of 'reasonable excuse' makes for a waste of time and resources: it is "too narrow" according to First Tier Tribunal Judge Ann Redston. As a result cases come to the Tribunal when they could be resolved by HMRC.

HMRC has been sending out around 1,000 'nudge' letters to individuals paying tax at a lower-than-expected effective tax rates. This is a trial and not publicised campaign.

The government department, Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) has published a response to a consultation document relating to greater transparency and trust in UK business and included a proposal to prohibit corporate membership of LLPs.

The case of Graham Michael Wildin v HMRC [2014] TC03586, involved a dispute on the correct method for valuing goodwill in an accountancy practice. HMRC favoured an assets-basis and the accountant, the appellant, a multiple of Gross Recurring Fees (GRF).

As part of the ground breaking tax agreement between the UK and Switzerland, Swiss banks will inform HMRC by May 31st of the top 10 destinations to which money removed from suspect bank accounts in Switzerland has been sent, says Pinsent Masons, the international law firm.