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Perspective - Blog

Sippchoice – Allowable contributions to a SIPP are restricted to payments of money

Published on 24 Jun 2020.

In HMRC v Sippchoice Ltd [2020] UKUT 0149 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has allowed HMRC’s appeal and confirmed that 'contributions paid' to a SIPP are restricted to contributions of money and do not encompass transfers of non-monetary assets.

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Perspective - Blog

NCL - Court of Appeal upholds tribunal decisions and confirms that a company was entitled to deductions representing IFRS 2 debits

Published on 17 Jun 2020. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In HMRC v NCL Investments Ltd and Smith & Williamson Corporate Services Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 663, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that accounting debits relating to the grant of share options to employees were a deductible expense for corporation tax purposes notwithstanding that no monies were actually expended.

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Perspective - Blog

Partners and closure notices: making amends

Published on 10 Jun 2020. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In R (on the application of Amrolia) v HMRC; R (on the application of Ranjit-Singh) v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 488, the Court of Appeal held that notices amending individual partners’ tax returns under section 28B(4), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA), were not closure notices and therefore did not need to specify the final amounts of tax due.

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Perspective - Blog

Investec - Court of Appeal confirms partnership contributions not deductible

Published on 03 Jun 2020.

In Investec Asset Finance Plc and Another v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 579, the Court of Appeal has held that partnership contributions were non-deductible, but has upheld the 'no double taxation' principle and prevented HMRC from introducing arguments not previously relied upon.

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Perspective - Blog

Game Match - Football referees held not to be employed for tax purposes – the final whistle for HMRC?

Published on 27 May 2020. By Ben Roberts, Partner

In Professional Game Match Officials Limited v HMRC [2020] UKUT 147 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) confirmed that certain football referees and other match day officials were not employees of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) and accordingly it did not have tax and NICs liabilities in respect of the officials in question.

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Henkes – FTT has jurisdiction to determine mixed questions of fact and law on application for closure notice

Published on 20 May 2020. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Henkes v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 159 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) decided that it has jurisdiction to determine mixed questions of fact and law on an application for a closure notice and appeal against an information notice.

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Perspective - Blog

Looney – Termination payments were trading receipts

Published on 13 May 2020.

In Kieran Looney & Anor v HMRC [2020] UKUT 0119 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has dismissed an appeal against the First-tier Tribunal's (FTT) decision that a termination payment and other payments made under a contract entered into by a partnership to provide management training, were trading receipts of a partnership.

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Perspective - Blog

Coyle – Upper Tribunal refuses permission to appeal out of time

Published on 06 May 2020.

In Michael Coyle t/a Coyle Transport v HMRC [2020] UKUT 0113 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) set aside the decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) for errors of law, but reached the same conclusion as the FTT and refused the taxpayer permission to appeal out of time.

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Perspective - Blog

Davies – Taxpayers unable to benefit from motive exemption in TOAA or qualify for treaty relief

Published on 29 Apr 2020. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Andrew Davies & Others v HMRC [2020] UKUT 67 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) held that the taxpayers did not satisfy the ‘motive exemption’ in the transfer of assets abroad (TOAA) legislation and could not benefit from treaty relief.

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Perspective - Blog

Zipvit – Supreme Court considers deduction of input VAT on supplies mistakenly treated as VAT exempt

Published on 22 Apr 2020.

In Zipvit Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKSC 15, the Supreme Court referred questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding the correct interpretation of Article 168 of the Principal VAT Directive, in connection with the question of whether a recipient of postal services may deduct input VAT in relation to those supplies, where both parties and HMRC had mistakenly treated the supplies as exempt from VAT.

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Perspective - Blog

COVID-19 – Now is not the time for businesses to be complacent

Published on 16 Apr 2020. By Adam Craggs, Partner

On 31 March 2020, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) issued guidance(1) on how investigators and prosecutors are proposing to tackle the issuing of new criminal proceedings during 'an unprecedented crisis for the Criminal Justice System in the UK.

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Perspective - Blog

Higgs – FTT lacks jurisdiction to disapply the PAYE Regulations

Published on 15 Apr 2020.

In Philip Higgs and Others v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 117 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) determined that it did not have jurisdiction to determine whether HMRC is entitled to exercise a discretion under section 684(7A), ITEPA, to disapply the PAYE Regulations.

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Perspective - Blog

COVID-19: Your workforce – furloughing - act to mitigate the risk of exposure to tax evasion offences as scheme could be open to abuse

Published on 09 Apr 2020.

Jim Harra, Chief Executive at HMRC, has informed a Treasury Committee meeting that he expects the government's multi-billion pound employee furlough scheme to be targeted by criminals seeking to exploit the £60 billion pledged in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's unprecedented Coronavirus protection package.

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Perspective - Blog

COVID-19 and tax residence

Published on 09 Apr 2020. By Ben Roberts, Partner

This blog considers the potential risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to maintaining offshore tax structures.

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Perspective - Blog

Fisher – TOAA rules not applicable to sale of business from a UK company to a Gibraltar company

Published on 08 Apr 2020. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In S Fisher and Others v HMRC [2020] UKUT 62 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) allowed the taxpayers' appeals and held that the transfer of assets abroad rules did not apply to the sale of a business from a UK company to a Gibraltar company, which was under the control of the same directors and shareholders.

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Perspective - Blog

Booth – Penalty appeal struck out

Published on 01 Apr 2020.

In CF Booth Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 35 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) struck out the taxpayer's appeal against penalties imposed for deliberate inaccuracies in its VAT returns, on the basis that the appeal amounted to an 'abuse of process'.

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Perspective - Blog

Credit Suisse: Appeal allowed as HMRC had failed to open a valid enquiry

Published on 25 Mar 2020.

In Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd and others v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 86 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed a company's appeal against a closure notice on the grounds that HMRC had not issued a valid notice of enquiry.

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Perspective - Blog

McMillan – Gambling proceeds not taxable income

Published on 18 Mar 2020.

In McMillan v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 0082 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that proceeds of gambling were not taxable income.

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Perspective - Blog

Aria Technology – No specific form required for notification of assessment of VAT

Published on 11 Mar 2020.

In Aria Technology Ltd v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 182, the Court of Appeal confirmed that there is no particular form or formality required of an assessment under section 73(1), Value Added Tax Act 1994 (VATA) and an assessment can be contained in more than one document as long as the minimum requirements are set out in a clear and unambiguous way.

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Perspective - Blog

Linpac – Tribunal confirms that EU group relief claims did not replace earlier domestic claims to relief

Published on 04 Mar 2020. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Linpac Group Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 60 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed an appeal against an HMRC decision that the taxpayer's claim for group relief had been withdrawn by a subsequent claim.

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Perspective - Blog

MXC Dunlin – Interest due on repayments of tax paid in the 1980s

Published on 26 Feb 2020.

In MCX Dunlin (UK) Ltd v HMRC [2020] EWHC 11 (Ch), the High Court has held that interest was due on repayments of liabilities to petroleum revenue tax (PRT) dating from the 1980s, which had been met by crediting advance PRT (APRT).

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Perspective - Blog

Corporate failure to prevent tax evasion update – a policy is not enough

Published on 21 Feb 2020. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

It is no secret that the government has a laser focus on making corporates pay for their roles in "facilitating" tax evasion. Recent figures show that HMRC are serious in their drive to hold companies responsible for tax evasion; even companies with seemingly watertight procedures are susceptible. Now is the time to ensure that your regimes are watertight.

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Perspective - Blog

Snow Factor – Tribunal applies Halifax principle to redefine supplies of winter sports training

Published on 19 Feb 2020.

In Snow Factor Ltd and Snow Factor Training Ltd v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0664 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) found that certain VAT arrangements were abusive within the scope of the Halifax principle, and redefined supplies of winter sports training by a non-profit making company as a supply by its profit making parent and therefore as falling outside the education exemption in Item 1, Group 6, Schedule 9, Value Added Tax Act 1994 (VATA).

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Perspective - Blog

Charnley - Tribunal puts HMRC out to pasture in allowing business and agricultural relief

Published on 12 Feb 2020. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In W Charnley and M Hodgkinson as executors of the estate of Thomas Gill (deceased) v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0650 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) confirmed that inheritance tax agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) was available in relation to Mr Gill's estate.

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Perspective - Blog

Devon Waste Management – Waste firms win appeal in landfill 'fluff' case

Published on 05 Feb 2020.

In Devon Waste Management Ltd and Others v HMRC [2020] UKUT 1 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that the disposal of certain waste materials did not attract a charge to landfill tax.

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Perspective - Blog

Lloyd-Webber – capital gains losses allowed over properties which were never completed

Published on 29 Jan 2020.

In Lloyd-Webber and another v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 717 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a payment made under a contract for the acquisition of land was for the acquisition of contractual rights, rather than for the land, giving rise to an allowable loss on termination of the contract.

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Perspective - Blog

SSE Generation – UT considers the meaning of structure for the purposes of capital allowances

Published on 22 Jan 2020.

In HMRC v SSE Generation Ltd [2019] UKUT 332 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) dismissed HMRC's appeal against the decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) that the taxpayer was eligible for capital allowances in relation to certain expenditure it incurred in connection with the construction of the Glendoe Hydro Electric Power Scheme.

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Perspective - Blog

Taylor Pearson – input tax on fees incurred in implementing a tax scheme

Published on 15 Jan 2020.

In Taylor Pearson (Construction) Limited v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 691 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that input tax on fees incurred in implementing a tax scheme, intended to remunerate directors in a tax efficient manner, was deductible.

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Perspective - Blog

Higgins – for the purposes of PPR relief "period of ownership" starts on completion

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Desmond Higgins v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1869, the Court of Appeal has held that the date of acquisition of an off-plan property for the purposes of principal private residence relief (PPR) was the date of completion and not the date of exchange of contracts.

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Perspective - Blog

Jafari – HMRC criticised for breach of its duty to assist the Tribunal

Published on 18 Dec 2019.

In Jafari v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 692 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) criticised HMRC for failing in its duty to bring relevant authorities to its attention.

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Perspective - Blog

Contentious tax quarterly review (Q4 2019)

Published on 16 Dec 2019. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In this quarterly review we consider: HMRC’s increasing propensity to seek to strike out the taxpayer’s case; recent developments in relation to IR35; the timing of tribunal decisions; and the potential implications of the Inverclyde decision.

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Perspective - Blog

Knibbs – HMRC's challenge to carry-back loss relief claims was correct

Published on 11 Dec 2019.

In Knibbs and ors v HMRC and R (oao Astley and ors) v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1719, the Court of Appeal has held that Schedule 1B, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) can apply to a claim for carry-back loss relief.

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Perspective - Blog

Locke – Court of Appeal quashes follower and accelerated payment notices

Published on 04 Dec 2019. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In R (on the application of Locke) v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1909, the Court of Appeal quashed follower and accelerated payment notices issued to a participant in a film finance partnership, because HMRC had been wrong in considering that a judicial ruling was relevant to the arrangements under consideration.

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Perspective - Blog

Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme – Taxation of manufactured overseas dividends breached EU law

Published on 27 Nov 2019.

In HMRC v Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Trustees Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1610, the Court of Appeal dismissed HMRC's appeal and held that the imposition of withholding tax on manufactured overseas dividends was contrary to EU law.

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Perspective - Blog

Aozora GMAC Investment Ltd – HMRC did not breach a taxpayer's legitimate expectation

Published on 20 Nov 2019.

In R (oao Aozora GMAC Investment Ltd) v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1643, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the taxpayer's claim that a statement in HMRC’s International Manual created a legitimate expectation, because the taxpayer had not relied on it substantively and, even if it had done, there was insufficient "unfairness" in frustrating the taxpayer's expectation.

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Perspective - Blog

First Choice – HMRC ordered to pay taxpayer's costs as a result of its unreasonable behaviour

Published on 13 Nov 2019.

In First Choice Recruitment Ltd v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 412 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that the taxpayer was entitled to its costs because HMRC had acted unreasonably.

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Perspective - Blog

Cliff: Tax tribunal considers the meaning of ‘deliberate’

Published on 06 Nov 2019.

In Cliff v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 564, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that the taxpayer had 'deliberately' submitted an inaccurate return to HMRC.

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Perspective - Blog

Pertemps – Upper Tribunal provides guidance on salary sacrifice arrangements

Published on 30 Oct 2019.

In HMRC v Pertemps Ltd [2019] UKUT 234 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has provided helpful guidance on salary sacrifice arrangements and their effectiveness.

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Perspective - Blog

Potter – Tribunal considers the meaning of "trading company" in the context of entrepreneurs' relief

Published on 23 Oct 2019.

In Jacqueline Potter and Neil Potter v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0554 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has confirmed that the owners of a company were entitled to entrepreneurs relief (ER) as the activities of the company amounted to trading.

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Perspective - Blog

Leeds Cricket Football & Athletic Co Ltd – business with attached goodwill disposed of

Published on 16 Oct 2019.

In The Leeds Cricket Football & Athletic Company Ltd v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0568 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that the freehold in a cricket ground involved the disposal of a business with attached goodwill and was not simply a disposal of land with attached income streams.

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Perspective - Blog

JJ Management: No need to stand on formalities

Published on 09 Oct 2019. By Adam Craggs, Partner

It would appear from the decision of the High Court in R (oao JJ Management LLP and Ors) v HMRC [2019] EWHC 2006 (Admin), that HMRC can conduct informal enquiries outside of section 9A, Taxes Management 1970 (TMA).

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Perspective - Blog

Rialas – Transfer of assets abroad provisions did not apply

Published on 02 Oct 2019.

In Rialas v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 520, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has found that the transfer of assets abroad (TOAA) provisions, originally contained in section 739 et seq, Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (ICTA) did not apply.

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Perspective - Blog

Draft Finance Bill 2019/20: HMRC’s new insolvency powers

Published on 27 Sep 2019. By Robert Waterson, Partner

Piercing the corporate veil? Robert Waterson and Constantine Christofi review the draft provisions that will empower HMRC to issue joint liability notices. (This article was originally posted on Tax Journal)

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Perspective - Blog

Quentin Skinner – shares sold by trust eligible for entrepreneurs' relief

Published on 25 Sep 2019. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In The Quentin Skinner 2008 Settlement L and others v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 516 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that for a trust to qualify for entrepreneurs' relief (ER) on a disposal of shares, it was not necessary for the trust's beneficiary to have had an interest in possession in the shares for the period prescribed in section 169J(4), Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA).

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Perspective - Blog

Contentious tax: quarterly review (Q3 2019)

Published on 20 Sep 2019. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Michelle Sloane, Partner

In this quarterly review, Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane consider HMRC’s increasing propensity to seek the production of documents from accountants and other professional advisers, HMRC’s new policy of challenging taxpayers’ loan relationships, and the increase in the number of domicile enquiries launched by HMRC.

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Perspective - Blog

Tinkler - Notice of enquiry invalid

Published on 19 Sep 2019.

In Tinkler v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 1392, the Court of Appeal has allowed the taxpayer's appeal and held that HMRC's notice of enquiry under section 9A, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA), was invalid.

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Perspective - Blog

Smart & Son - Supreme Court confirms VAT incurred on funds raised for business purpose was recoverable

Published on 06 Sep 2019.

In HMRC v Frank A Smart & Son [2019] UKSC 39, the Supreme Court has held that a farming company was entitled to repayment of input VAT charged on its acquisition of single farm payment entitlement units which were related to its overall economic activities and future taxable supplies.

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Perspective - Blog

Levy – Tribunal rejects application for final and partial closure notices

Published on 30 Aug 2019.

In The Executors of Mrs R W Levy v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 418 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), has held that HMRC was not in a position to issue either a final or partial closure notice.

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Perspective - Blog

ANO - pre-ordained transactions avoided CGT losses being caught by pre-entry loss rules

Published on 05 Aug 2019. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In ANO (No1) Limited v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 406 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a pre-ordained series of transactions implemented to avoid the application of Schedule 7A, Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA) to pre-entry losses were effective.

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Perspective - Blog

Inverclyde – Enquiry into LLP returns invalid as opened under incorrect statutory provisions

Published on 01 Aug 2019.

In Inverclyde and another v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0408 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that enquiries opened, and closure notices issued, to limited liability partnerships (LLPs) were invalid as HMRC should have enquired into the LLPs returns under paragraph 24, Schedule 18, Finance Act 1998 (FA 1998) and not section 12AC, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA).

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