CEOs Welcome: Please do join in!

Our technical teams took advantage of the pre-Budget consultation period to set out some of the things we would like to see in the Red Book. For ATT, this included increases to the amount that drivers can be paid tax-free for using their own car for work. The CIOT made several representations covering a range of diverse subjects including tax avoidance and evasion, creative relief, VAT excise and corporate taxes.

After the Budget, of course, will come the Finance Bill. While the chancellor will no doubt throw in a few late election winning surprises, unlike last year – when we had a pretty good idea what would be in the Finance Bill – this year we are very much in the dark. That said, we could see some major changes to inheritance tax either in rate cuts or even potentially a complete abolishment!

If you want to ensure that your knowledge is up to date after the Budget, there are several ATT and CIOT events coming up this Spring. The CIOT Spring Virtual Conference is on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April. The conference allows for ‘live’ delegate questions, as well as having all the sessions recorded so that delegates can enjoy the flexibility of accessing the content when convenient to them. This year, there are sessions on corporate losses, R&D, stamp duty, pensions and many more. For more information and to register, please visit: www.tax.org.uk/svc2024.

The ATT’s Fellows Webinar is taking place on Thursday 25 April at 1pm. Lasting for 90 minutes, this free event provides a unique opportunity for all Fellows to enjoy the company of members of similar standing within the Association and participate in discussion sessions led by our Technical Officers. This year, the main presentation will be on avoiding Self-Assessment processing problems – help HMRC to help you. It will be followed by a choice of three breakout sessions covering:

• MTD and basis period reform: what are you and your clients talking about?
• Bereavement and tax: improving processes and guidance
• To regulate tax agents or not to regulate tax agents – that is the question!

To find out more and register for the ATT Fellows’ Webinar please visit: tinyurl.com/2xff58h3

The ATT technical officers have been back in the studios creating 10 new videos for hosting on our website and YouTube channel. These videos will supplement the 13 videos that were produced last year and are already able to view. This year, the topics covered include: a career in tax; how to check and change your tax code; how to pick an agent; and the high income child benefit charge (HICBC) – plus many more! Our videos can be found on our website at: tinyurl.com/37v4tkf6

The CIOT 2024 Admissions ceremony on 14 March is a real highlight in our annual calendar. We will have welcomed our 20,000th member by then, and we hope you will engage in our social media celebrations of achieving such a significant milestone.