In the news: February 2024

‘Helen Thornley, technical officer at the ATT, warned that more people are currently being drawn into paying the [child benefit] charge. This is because of an uptick in wages pushing people over the £50,000 limit, and increased savings income boosted by higher interest rates.’

Financial Times, 17 November

‘Others, including the ATT, disagree. It is concerned that [basis period reform] will create a major complication for those affected and that businesses caught are likely to pay increased amounts of tax.’

Daily Telegraph, 28 November

‘For those who are able to take part, the Help to Save account is a very attractive savings scheme, especially when the saver is able to maximise their bonuses… That is why we recently welcomed the extension of the scheme to April 2025.’

Victoria Todd, Head of LITRG, GB News, 5 December

‘While we understand HMRC’s desire to prioritise where it puts its limited resources, we are concerned that in practice many of their customers will be unable to navigate HMRC’s digital services, and will simply give up.’

John Barnett, Chair of CIOT’s Technical Policy and Oversight Committee, Financial Times, talking about restrictions to the self-assessment helpline, 7 December

‘The concern really here is people who are maybe selling a bit but not quite up to the point where they think that’s trading or they’re not sure if they’re trading. HMRC can argue that and come and ask for tax money that should have been declared.’

Emma Rawson, ATT technical officer, Hello Magazine, talking about new reporting requirements for online selling platforms, 13 December

‘The Scottish government’s income tax plans increase divergence between higher earners in Scotland and the rest of the UK and we cannot rule out the possibility that divergence could widen further in the spring.’

Sean Cockburn, Chair of CIOT’s Scottish Technical Committee, The Times, 19 December