On 23 June 2026, the government made several tax policy announcements as part of HMRC's 'tax update 2026'. A number of consultations were launched, including ones exploring more timely payments for Self Assessment taxpayers, the company distributions rules, and a proposal to require payment of PAYE and VAT by Direct Debit.
Agents using HMRC's online services are now being asked to voluntarily register for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) when they log in. HMRC are rolling out voluntary MFA to agents who wish to register for it before the mandatory system is implemented later in the year.
HMRC has published a new policy paper clarifying its position on access to its online services. The policy confirms that agents must only access client data through their own authorised account. Firms using automated tools that 'screen scrape' to extract data from their Agent Services Account (ASA) may also be in breach of Government Gateway Terms and Conditions.
HMRC have started making unannounced visits to high street businesses as part of an initiative to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity on the high street. More than 30,000 interventions are planned for 2026-27.
HMRC have announced that mandatory payrolling, originally due to commence in April 2027, will now be introduced in two phases. Phase 1 will continue to be rolled out from 6 April 2027, with Phase 2 commencing a year later on 6 April 2028.
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The confirmed timetable for the introduction of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on agent accounts leads this week's updates. We also have news of HMRC’s relaunched agent webchat service, a new government AI chatbot that can answer tax questions and a case involving goodwill alleged to be owned personally after the incorporation of a business.
The government has made a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool available on the GOV.UK app called GOV.UK Chat. It draws on official government guidance, including tax, to answer questions. Read on to see why caution is needed.
In MyPay Limited v HMRC [2026] TC09902, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that workers engaged by an umbrella company were employed separately for each assignment rather than under a single overarching employment contract, meaning travel expenses between home and assignment locations were ordinary commuting expenses and therefore not deductible.
HMRC's agent webchat service has been updated and relaunched. This agent-only channel aims to be quicker than phoning for some Self Assessment and PAYE queries.
In WWM (Harrogate) LLP v HMRC [2026] TC09907, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) who had incorporated his sole trade business in 2008 had no personal goodwill to contribute to a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) subsequently formed between him and his company in 2014.
