• Over a million homes and offices still cannot get a decent broadband connection according to the latest analysis from industry regulator Ofcom, creating issues for HMRC’s plans for all businesses to move to quarterly online tax updates via its flagship Making Tax Digital initiative
• HMRC has updated its guidance on how to make online returns for SDLT to reflect the fact that from 1 April 2018 it will no longer apply to property purchases in Wales
• The government is to legislate to make high speed broadband a legal right, introducing a regulatory universal service obligation (USO), giving everyone in the UK access to speeds of at least 10 Mbps by 2020
• HMRC recently unveiled plans to replace the £100 late filing penalty for late or missing self-assessment tax returns with a new points-based, ‘driving licence-style’ system. Watch this space for further details
• HMRC has confirmed that cash basis users may also use the mileage rate allowances for their travel expenses relating to their rental properties. As announced in Autumn Budget 2017, the Government has extended the option to use the 45p per mile mileage rates to landlords
• HMRC officials are set to be grilled by MPs over the operation of the new childcare service website, which has been heavily criticised by parents over difficulties in logging on since its launch last year, as part of a Treasury committee inquiry into childcare policy and its influence on the economy.
• MPs are putting pressure on government to introduce a 25p latte levy on disposable coffee cups to cut the amount of waste, calling for a total ban of single use cups by 2023 unless manufacturers can make them recyclable
• HMRC has again come under fire over its failure to deliver its transformation programme as planned and a lack of clarity in its customer service statistics.
• HMRC part-fixes IT problems with self-assessment service. Following IT problems with the self-assessment service, HMRC has now confirmed that the system is up and running but there are still problems with setting up a direct debit.
Disclaimer:- The information contained herein is given by way of general guidance only and no action should be taken solely on the basis of the information contained herein. The Avanti Group (UK) Ltd will be pleased to provide further guidance on the issues, and how they might affect you. No liability is accepted by the firm for any action taken without seeking appropriate professional advice