Hello,
It has been another busy week, with cases and updates spanning VAT, Inheritance Tax (IHT), travel and subsistence expenses, the use of multiple agents by taxpayers and HMRC’s latest Spotlight on property business arrangements involving hybrid partnerships and indemnities.
In Mr Nwaneri v HMRC [2026] TC09844, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that Mr Nwaneri was not entitled to deduct travel and subsistence expenses claimed in his Self Assessment returns and that inaccuracies in those returns were deliberate, such that HMRC's amendments and penalty assessments were upheld.
In Jonathan Wood v HMRC [2026] TC09849, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that payments made to various Brexit leave campaigns were intended to confer a gratuitous benefit and were therefore 'transfers of value' for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes.
HMRC have published the research paper, 'Research to understand customers’ views on tax adviser authorisation'. It found that most customers reported using authorised tax advisers for three or more services, highlighting the complexity of the tax system. Surprisingly, only about half of the respondents could list the benefits of using multiple agents, but more could list drawbacks.
Hello,
We have several updates from HMRC this week, with the publication of their April 2026 Agent Update, Employer Bulletin and Employment-Related Securities Bulletin. The VAT fuel scale charge rates for periods beginning on or after 1 May 2026 have also been published, and we examine the latest cases from the courts and tribunals.
HMRC have released Employment-Related Securities (ERS) Bulletin 65, which contains details of end-of-year filing requirements, Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) notifications and penalties for late filing.
HMRC have published their Employer Bulletin for April 2026. Key content includes upcoming dates and deadlines, new rates from 6 April 2026, changes to statutory leave and payments, implementing CIS reforms and an Employment-Related Securities (ERS) update.
In Douglas Boulton v HMRC [2026] TC09846, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that a director’s settlement agreement with the liquidator of his company resulted in his director’s loan account being released or written off, giving rise to an Income Tax charge.
In Hector Lester v HMRC [2026] TC09807, the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) found that the extended loss carry-back time limits applied and that the taxpayer's appeal was valid, despite HMRC not issuing a formal enquiry notice in time.
HMRC have published their Agent Update for April 2026. We have summarised the key content, including a reminder of the new National Living Wage rates, updates to the Statutory Sick Pay rules and details on how to notify HMRC of the cessation of a trade or property business for Making Tax Digital (MTD) purposes.
