In the news: June 2023

‘The perception of an ever increasing disparity between the taxation of higher earners in Scotland and the rest of the UK raises the possibility that those who are able to take steps to legitimately reduce their tax liabilities [will do so].’

Sean Cockburn, chairman of the CIOT’s Scottish technical committee, on Scottish taxes in The Times, 24 April

‘Last month, the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) published a report with 40 recommendations for ways in which HMRC should improve its guidance. This followed the CIOT finding that 78% of those contacting the organisation had been unable to find the information they needed using the gov.uk website.’

Daily Telegraph, 30 April

‘Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs have pinpointed higher taxes as a potential barrier to recruitment and business growth, after the Chartered Institute of Taxation warned high earners in Scotland could face an effective 68% tax rate, if First Minister Humza Yousaf goes ahead with a new charge.’

The Herald, 1 May

‘Richard Wild, head of tax technical at the Chartered Institute of Taxation, said: “HMRC was cutting staff numbers in anticipation of efficiencies and time savings from digitalisation which have not yet arrived.” The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group has said that 78% of those who have contacted the group since 2017 (did so) because they could not find the answer to their queries on gov.uk.’

Daily Telegraph, 5 May

‘The Chartered Institute of Taxation and Association of Tax Technician said members were “finding it increasingly difficult to deal with crypto transactions in practice”. The tax lobby groups called on the Treasury to address the tax treatment of cryptoasset transactions.’

Financial Times, 10 May