EDF Tax

Friday 13th a Good Day for UK’s Bar and Restaurant Staff

m.mauro — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:40:36 +0000

On 13 June, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled in favour of HMRC by supporting current National Minimum Wage legislation relating to tips, in the case of Annabel’s restaurant and night club. The case involved the interaction between National Minimum Wage and Troncs, which is a system of pooling and distributing tips to staff in the service industries. The decision now means that employers must pay staff at least the National Minimum Wage regardless of any tips, gratuities, service or cover charges, so long as the tips are not paid directly through the employer’s payroll.The decision is certainly good news for the UK’s restaurant and bar workers.

HMRC Introduces New Penalty Regime

m.mauro — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:13:14 +0000

Following consultation with taxpayers, HMRC are introducing new legislation regarding penalties for errors on tax returns and supporting documents. The new legislation aims to help those who try to comply, and come down hard on those who don’t. In line with efforts to make the tax system simpler and more consistent, the new penalty regime, for return periods starting on or after 1 April 2008 that are due to be filed on or after 1 April 2009, will ensure that the most serious tax offences are punished most heavily.

Readers will be aware of the current regime where there is little difference between the penalty for a simple error, classed as negligence and one for serious attempted tax fraud. It is hoped that this new legislation will introduce a much fairer penalty system.

Self Employed - HMRC hoping to improve NIC collection

m.mauro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:22:48 +0000

HMRC are currently consulting on improving the collection of National Insurance Contributions from the self-employed, who currently pay two classes of NICs through separate processes. It is hoped that the proposals will reduce admin costs for the self-employed.

Offshore Accounts - HMRC Enquiries

m.mauro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:22:14 +0000

Following the much hyped publicity concerning HM Revenue & Customs obtaining information in respect of offshore bank accounts, it has now transpired that enquiries have been opened into UK residents who have Liechtenstein accounts to establish if those accounts have been disclosed for UK tax purposes.

It is thought that HMRC believe that they hope to recoup in the region of £100m from the information they hold. However, if the offshore amnesty is anything to go by the actual amount recovered could be substantially less that this.