HMRC Stakeholder Digest - 23 March 2023
Please see the following message from HMRC, which we are sharing for information:
The HMRC Stakeholder Digest provides a round-up of our latest news and updates, which we’d be grateful if you could share with your clients, customers, or members.
Updates
Tax-Free Childcare support available over the Easter school holidays
With the Easter school holidays nearly here, we are reminding working families to make sure they are not missing out on help with childcare costs.
Tax-Free Childcare can help pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or 16 if the child has a disability.
Eligible parents and carers can receive up to £2,000 a year for each child or £4,000 a year for each child if their child is disabled.
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, has made this YouTube video about Tax-Free Childcare in support of our campaign, encouraging families who have not yet signed up to check their eligibility and apply online today.
We would appreciate if you could share the video on your social media.
Preparing Child Benefit customers for payment dates over the bank holidays
Several bank holidays are coming up over the next few months and we know that Child Benefit customers can sometimes worry about when their next payment will arrive.
Customers whose usual Child Benefit payment date falls on a bank holiday will receive their payment early, and they can use the new HMRC online Child Benefit service to view their last five payments, and to see whether their upcoming payments will be affected by any bank holidays on GOV.UK.
They can also view this information on the HMRC App in three simple steps:
1. Go to their HMRC App - or download this through the App Store for iOS
or the Google Play Store for Android.
2. Once in the App, go to the Child Benefit section
3. Select ’Your payment history’
Please share this information with your clients and members to make them aware of the support available.
Helping 135,000 Self Assessment paper filers to move online
Last year, almost 97% of customers filed their Self Assessment returns online. Filing online is quicker, more accurate, and helps us reduce paper to help the environment.
We’re currently writing to around 135,000 customers who submit paper returns to encourage them to complete their return online in the future.
Our letter will notify these customers that they will no longer receive a paper Self Assessment form automatically and the letter will also include guidance on how to file online.
Customers who can’t or choose not to go digital do not need to worry – while our paper form will no longer be available to download on GOV.UK, it will be available to request from 6 April by calling us on 0300 2003 610.
Further information about Self Assessment tax returns is available on GOV.UK.
Consultations
Alcohol Duty draft secondary legislation – have your say by 9 April
Stakeholders including producers, importers and resellers of alcoholic products have until 9 April 2023 to submit their views on the draft secondary legislation.
Your clients and members can contact us at [email protected] to have their say.
Further information about Draft regulations: Alcoholic Products (Excise Duty)Regulations can be viewed on GOV.UK.