The government has published its response to the consultation 'Research and development tax relief clearances'. The consultation highlighted the need for reform of the current advance assurance system.
SME Tax News
HM Treasury has published 'Tax Support for Entrepreneurs: Call for Evidence', seeking opinions on potential tax reform to support business founders in the UK.
HMRC have published their Agent Update for November 2025. We have summarised the key content, including updates on the Class 2 National Insurance SA302 issue, a tax fraud warning about employment agencies, Making Tax Digital and Freeport news.
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After many weeks of anticipation, we finally have the contents of the 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed. In an unprecedented occurrence, some Budget policies were leaked before the Chancellor took to the Dispatch Box, owing to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) publishing its Economic and Fiscal Outlook document online, ahead of schedule.
HMRC have published new advisory fuel rates for company car drivers that apply from 1 December 2025.
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We have updates this week on the deductibility of pension contributions, tax fraud in the temporary employment agency and recruitment sector, import VAT recovery, and the application of the welfare VAT exemption for supplies made in Wales.
In A D Bly Groundworks and Civil Engineering Limited and CHR Travel Limited v HMRC [2025] EWCA Civ 1443, the Court of Appeal (CoA) found that deductions for unfunded pension provisions were disallowable because the arrangements were primarily tax-driven rather than a genuine pension scheme.
HMRC have published an issue briefing to raise awareness of tax fraud for employment agencies and employers. HMRC warn that new fraudulent models, offering cheaper payroll services, are currently being marketed to employers and recruitment agencies.
HMRC are urging 'Christmas crafters' who earn income from selling festive items to check if they need to declare their earnings. Side hustlers who earn seasonal income during the festive period may need to declare earnings if they exceed £1,000.
Hello,
This week, we bring news of HMRC examining loans to participators where tax may not have been properly accounted for, the November 2025 Employment-Related Securities (ERS) Bulletin, and an important Upper Tribunal (UT) decision in the context of employee incentivisation arrangements.
