Fourth self-employed grant now open for online applications
May 2021
On 21 April, the online service for applications for the fourth Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant was opened for claims, HMRC confirmed. All applications must be submitted by the…
Recovery Loan Scheme opens to businesses
May 2021
On 6 April, the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) was introduced to replace the government's coronavirus lending schemes. The RLS provides financial support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The…
Recent changes to IR35 'undermine the self-employed' says IPSE
May 2021
The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has stated that the recent changes to the rules relating to off-payroll workers, commonly known as IR35, 'undermine the self-employed at…
CBI calls for extension of Kickstart Scheme as jobs market remains subdued
May 2021
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged the government to extend the Kickstart Scheme to help young people who are bearing the brunt of the subdued job market. The…
New 95% mortgage scheme launched
May 2021
On 19 April, a government-backed mortgage scheme to help people with 5% deposits get on to the housing ladder was made available to lenders. First announced at the 2021 Budget,…
New claims required for home working tax relief
May 2021
Employees who are working from home will need to make new claims for tax relief for the 2021/22 tax year, HMRC has stated. From 6 April 2020, employers have been…
HMRC sets out penalty regime for SEISS abuse
May 2021
The fourth Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant is now live and HMRC has set out the penalties for abuse of the scheme. An overclaimed SEISS grant includes any amount…
Pension fraud increased to £1.8 million in first quarter of 2021
May 2021
Losses from pension fraud rose to £1.8 million in the first three months of this year, according to figures from Action Fraud. 107 reports of pension fraud were made in…
Business rates relief extended with £1.5 billion fund
April 2021
The government is to extend business rates relief with a £1.5 billion fund targeted at those businesses unable to benefit from the current COVID-19 support. Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses…
Consultations launched on UK's first Tax Day
April 2021
The government has published over 30 updates, consultations and documents on the UK's first ever Tax Day. The announcements, which would traditionally be published at Budget, have been released later…
Government publishes details of Finance Bill 2021
April 2021
The details of the Finance Bill 2021 have been published by the government. The Bill outlines the key measures set to be brought into legislation, including many measures announced in…
£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
April 2021
The UK government has unveiled a £20 million Brexit support package to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with changes to customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.…
HMRC publishes details of final grants for self-employed
April 2021
HMRC has published details of the eligibility criteria of the final two grants available under the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). At the 2021 Budget it was confirmed…
National Minimum and Living wages increases
April 2021
UK workers are set to benefit from rises in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW) rates that took effect from 1 April 2021. The NMW…
UK cuts electric vehicle grants by £500
April 2021
The government has cut the Plug-in Car Grant and Van & Truck Grant by £500 and lowered the pricing cap on qualifying electric vehicles. The Department for Transport will now…
ICAEW urges HMRC to rethink quarterly reports under MTD for corporation tax
April 2021
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has urged HMRC to rethink the requirement for companies to report quarterly under Making Tax Digital for corporation tax (MTD…