HMRC Stakeholder Digest – 27 October 2022
Please see the following message which we are sharing on behalf of HMRC:
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.
Less than 100 days until Self Assessment deadline
There are less than 100 days for customers to submit their Self Assessment tax returns online for the 2021 to 2022 tax year.
Customers have until 31 January to submit their online tax return and we recommend using our online filing service as it is simple and convenient. The deadline for customers to submit their paper return is 31 October 2022.
Last year, more than 95% of customers filed online with many choosing to start it, save their progress and go back to it as many times as they needed before it was ready to submit. Those who submit their returns early still have until 31 January 2023 to pay.
Please share this reminder with your networks as a reminder to complete their online or paper returns on time.
Tax credits customers’ second Cost of Living Payment
Customers receiving tax credits and no other eligible DWP benefits, such as Income Support, will receive their second Cost of Living Payment of £324 from us between 23 and 30 November.
If customers believe that they’re eligible but haven’t received a payment, they should wait until 7 December at the earliest to contact us, to allow time for their payment to be processed.
We’re also issuing payments to a small number of tax credits customers who, due to a change in their circumstances over the qualifying period, have now become eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £326. These payments will be made between 26 October and 2 November.
Customers don’t need to contact us or apply – if they’re eligible, payment is automatic into the bank account where they receive their tax credits payments.
More information on Cost of Living Payments can be found on GOV.UK. We’ve also developed a toolkit to help you support your networks with the Cost of Living.
Guidance for arrivals from Ukraine on paying tax in the UK if they work for a Ukraine-based employer
We recently published guidance about paying Income Tax and National Insurance contributions for arrivals from Ukraine into the UK who still work for an employer in Ukraine.
The guidance explains what tax residence is, which country the employee will pay taxes in, and what they need to do to meet their tax obligations.
Less than one week left to move to Making Tax Digital for VAT returns
From 1 November, businesses will no longer be able to use their VAT online account to file their quarterly or monthly returns.
By law, all VAT registered businesses must now sign up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) and use MTD-compatible software to keep their VAT records and file their VAT returns, unless exempt.
Using MTD-compatible software will reduce common mistakes and make it quicker and easier for you to manage your tax affairs.
To give businesses more time, those who are due to file their next VAT return by 7 November can still use their VAT online account for this return only, if their turnover is under the VAT threshold of £85,000.
Further support for businesses on MTD and information on exemptions can be found on GOV.UK.
The Administration Burdens Advisory Board - Tell ABAB report 2021 to 2022 published
Last week we published the Administration Burdens Advisory Board’s (ABAB) Tell ABAB report 2021 to 2022. The report is one of the key ways we and ABAB gain insight from small businesses.
This year’s survey was active in April and May 2022. We achieved over 3000 responses, 68% of those from businesses and 32% identifying themselves as tax agents.
We would be grateful if you could share the report with your networks and if you’d like to comment please contact [email protected].
New Samaritans and HMRC partnership launched
We are working with Samaritans to deliver an 18-month project to improve the emotional support offered by us to customers.
Samaritans will provide our Extra Support Teams with guidance and coaching to build confidence and capability to help customers who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
Where needed, we will be able to signpost customers to personal specialist emotional support through a dedicated Samaritans helpline.
The emotional support project with Samaritans is in addition to the technical advice and support provided through our Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Grant Funding Programme.
Energy Bill Relief Scheme review – have your say by 30 November
Following the announcement of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the government has launched a three-month review to consider which non-domestic customers remain particularly at risk to energy price rises after 31 March and the most appropriate means of providing this support.
The review will consider:
- how effective the scheme has been in giving support to at risk non-domestic customers
- which groups of non-domestic customers (by sector, size, or geography) remain particularly at risk to energy price rises
- how to continue supporting these customers – either by extending the existing scheme for some users or replacing with a different scheme.
Businesses are encouraged to complete the questionnaire to help gather evidence and they have until 23:55 on 30 October to complete it.
Businesses and Business Representative Organisations can also share feedback directly to [email protected].
All data provided will be treated as confidential and not shared outside of government.
Register now for International Trade Week
International Trade Week takes place between 31 October until 4 November to help businesses learn more about selling globally, understand investment potential in the UK and connect with trade industry experts.
Businesses who are looking to maximise their global potential and access new international markets can register their place.
They can register for the event using the International Trade Week website with both virtual and in person opportunities.
More information about the event is available on the International Trade Week website