- The UK government has confirmed that it will bring forward legislation for a new Digital Services Tax (DST) to take effect from April 2020.
- HMRC has published draft IR35 regulations (to come into effect on 6 April 2020) and a summary of the responses received during the consultation process.
- A caravan is plant if it does not occupy a fixed site and is regularly moved as part of normal trade usage, even if it is only moved from its summer site to winter quarters.
- A caravan, which is provided mainly for holiday lettings on a holiday caravan site, is plant whether it is moved or not. Caravans occupying residential sites do not qualify for capital allowances.
- In his Spending Review, Chancellor Sajid Javid said that ‘austerity is over’ as he announced significant increases in spending across most government departments.
- From 6 April 2020, Capital Gains Tax on the disposal of residential properties will be payable within 30 days of the completion date. This is another step in the acceleration of payment dates for CGT due on gains arising from UK property.
- The core of the employment relationship is creating agreed terms and conditions.
- The UK’s tax system should be overhauled to bring rates on wealth and assets into line with those on income, according to a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
- The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to make tackling business crime a priority as the costs incurred as a result of such crime run into ‘billions of pounds’.
- The Institute of Directors (IoD) has urged the government and the EU to ‘compromise and chart a way forward’ on Brexit, following the publication of research that shows that UK businesses are facing an ‘impossible situation’ regarding planning.