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Perspective - Blog

J P Whitter - HMRC not obliged to consider impact of cancellation of Gross Payment Status on business

Published on 23 Aug 2018.

In J P Whitter (Water Well Engineers) Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKSC 31, the Supreme Court has confirmed the view of the Court of Appeal that HMRC has the power to remove 'Gross Payment Status' from sub-contractors under the Construction Industry Scheme, without an obligation to take into account the impact on the tax-paying business.

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Perspective - Blog

Groves – Tribunal confirms that a notice to file must be given by an identified HMRC officer

Published on 22 Aug 2018. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Groves v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0311 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed the taxpayer's appeal against penalties issued by HMRC pursuant to Schedule 55, Finance Act 2009, for the late filing of a tax return as the notice to file was not signed by an "Officer of the Board" and in any event, the notice was invalid as it was not given by HMRC for the purpose(s) set out in section 8, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) and therefore any penalties issued for late filing of the return were invalid.

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Perspective - Blog

Bradshaw – Tribunal confirms ignorance of the law is a reasonable excuse and cancels  penalties

Published on 09 Aug 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In A and R Bradshaw v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0368 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer's ignorance of the law is a reasonable excuse in relation to the late filing of a non-resident CGT return (NRCGT return).

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Perspective - Blog

Shaw: Tribunal cancels penalties … again!

Published on 06 Aug 2018.

In Shaw v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0381 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has cancelled late filing penalties because HMRC had not satisfied the statutory requirements of section 8(1), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) as a notice to file had not been validly served on the appellant.

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Perspective - Blog

Tager – Court of Appeal allows taxpayers' appeals and reduces penalties for failure to comply with information notices

Published on 31 Jul 2018.

In Tager & Ors v HMRC [2018] EWCA Civ 1727, in allowing the taxpayers' appeals, the Court of Appeal has provided some general observations on the scope and purpose of HMRC's power to impose tax-related penalties under paragraph 50, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 for failures to comply with information notices issued under paragraph 1, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008.

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Perspective - Blog

Allpay - Tribunal refuses HMRC permission to amend its Statement of Case and awards costs to the taxpayer

Published on 23 Jul 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Allpay Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0273 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has dismissed HMRC's application to amend its Statement of Case to plead a new legal issue.

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Perspective - Blog

Ames: No EIS relief without income tax claim but Tribunal grants judicial review of HMRC's decision

Published on 16 Jul 2018.

In Ames v HMRC [2018] UKUT 190, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that capital gains tax (CGT) relief under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is not available on the disposal of shares where no income tax relief was claimed on their acquisition. However, in refusing to allow a late claim for EIS income tax relief, HMRC had misapplied the relevant guidance, fettered its discretion, and failed to consider material facts and the UT therefore granted judicial review of HMRC's decision.

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Perspective - Blog

Bell - The importance of selecting the correct forum when alleging unfairness on the part of HMRC

Published on 05 Jul 2018.

In J Bell v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 261 (TC), the taxpayer's appeal was struck out by the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), because it does not have jurisdiction to consider issues of public law.

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Perspective - Blog

Project Blue - Supreme Court allows HMRC's appeal in SDLT sub-sale case

Published on 02 Jul 2018. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Project Blue Limited v HMRC [2018] UKSC 30, the Supreme Court (by a majority) has found that section 75A, Finance Act 2003 (an anti-avoidance provision), was applicable resulting in SDLT being payable notwithstanding that sections 45 (sub-sale relief) and 71A (exemption for alternative property finance) Finance Act 2003, would have otherwise resulted in no stamp duty land tax (SDLT) being payable.

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Perspective - Blog

Bayonet Ventures: Loan by pension scheme was not an unauthorised payment

Published on 25 Jun 2018.

In Bayonet Ventures LLP & Anor v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 262 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), has held that a loan made to a limited liability partnership (LLP) by a pension scheme in which one of the partners of the LLP was a member, was not an unauthorised payment (section 164, Finance Act 2004) and should not be treated as a loan to the partner (section 863, Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (ITTOIA)) as section 863 only applies if the LLP is carrying on a 'trade, profession or business with a view to profit', which it was not.

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Perspective - Blog

Anderson - Upper Tribunal considers knowledge test for the purpose of discovery assessments

Published on 11 Jun 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Jerome Anderson v HMRC [2018] UKUT 159 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has dismissed a football agent's appeal upholding the First-tier Tribunal's (FTT) decision to disallow relief for losses incurred in relation to a football academy ran by the agent. The UT also agreed with the FTT that HMRC had issued a valid discovery assessment.

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Perspective - Blog

Dundas: out of time capital allowance claims become valid due to HMRC opening enquiries

Published on 06 Jun 2018.

In Dundas Heritable Limited v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0244 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer was entitled to make, what would otherwise have been out of time capital allowance claims, as a result of HMRC opening enquiries.

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Perspective - Blog

Investec: payments to acquire partnership interests were trading in nature

Published on 06 Jun 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In HMRC v Investec Asset Finance Plc and Another [2018] UKUT 0069 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that payments made to acquire partnership interests are deductible in calculating the profits of the partners’ solo trades of dealing in those partnership interests.

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Perspective - Blog

Patel: Enquiry and closure notices held to be invalid

Published on 25 May 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Patel & Anor v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0185 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal ('FTT'), in finding in favour of the taxpayers at a preliminary hearing, has held that HMRC had not opened valid enquiries into the taxpayers' self-assessment returns, as the returns had not been made pursuant to a notice issued by HMRC under section 8(1) Taxes Management Act 1970 ('TMA').

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Perspective - Blog

Customs and excise quarterly update

Published on 23 May 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In this update we report on the government’s consultation on Gaming Duty Accounting Periods; the Licensing of Tobacco Manufacturing Machinery; and the European Commission’s consultation on amendments to guarantees. We also comment on three recent cases involving customs classification; excise duty drawback; and excise duty liability on persons with no actual or constructive knowledge of unpaid duty.

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Perspective - Blog

Tooth – discovery assessment invalid as no inaccuracy in return

Published on 21 May 2018.

In HMRC v Tooth [2018] UKUT 38, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has concluded that a discovery assessment issued by HMRC was invalid as the taxpayer's self-assessment did not contain an inaccuracy and in any event there was no deliberate intent by the taxpayer to bring about an insufficiency of tax.

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Perspective - Blog

MDCM Ltd - Tribunal confirms that IR35 does not apply in employment status case

Published on 14 May 2018. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In MDCM Ltd v HMRC [2018] TC 6400, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed the taxpayer's appeal, concluding that its contractual arrangements were such that its principal employee was not an employee of the ultimate contracting company, for the purposes of IR35.

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Perspective - Blog

Sippchoice Ltd: Taxpayer can claim income tax deduction for contribution in specie to SIPP

Published on 04 May 2018.

In Sippchoice Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer can obtain tax relief at source in respect of contributions made to s Self-Invested Pension Plan (SIPP) settled in the form of unquoted shares.

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Perspective - Blog

Onillon – Failure to take Follower Notice 'corrective action' reasonable in all the circumstances

Published on 27 Apr 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Onillon v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 33 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against a penalty imposed for failing to take corrective action following the issue of a Follower Notice (FN) as it was reasonable in all the circumstances for the taxpayer not to take such action.

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Perspective - Blog

Hargreaves: Loyalty pays

Published on 13 Apr 2018.

In Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management LTD v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 127 (TC) TC06383, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has found that loyalty bonus payments paid to investors were not "annual payments" for the purpose of section 683, ITTOIA.

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Perspective - Blog

Volkswagen: CJEU provides guidance on the time limit for input VAT recovery

Published on 11 Apr 2018.

In Volkswagen AG v Finančné riaditeľstvo Slovenskej republiky C-533/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has held that Member States cannot impose a time limit on input tax recovery that denies claims before the taxable person is in a position to exercise its right to recover.

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Perspective - Blog

Jackson : HMRC penalised in penalties case

Published on 04 Apr 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Jackson v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0064 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC had misapplied the law in respect of penalties it had issued to the taxpayer for filing late returns.

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Perspective - Blog

Hicks: Discover the limits

Published on 28 Mar 2018.

In J Hicks v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 22, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), in allowing the taxpayer's appeal, has held that discovery assessments issued by HMRC were invalid as the condition contained in section 29(5), TMA 1970, was not satisfied.

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Perspective - Blog

Taylor Wimpey – Upper Tribunal clarifies the application of the 'builder's block' scheme

Published on 20 Mar 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Taylor Wimpey Plc v HMRC [2018] UKUT 55, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has allowed in part the taxpayer's appeal in relation to its claim to recover input VAT incurred on the provision of certain white goods, kitchen appliances and carpets installed in newly built houses.

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Perspective - Blog

Towers Watson – Tribunal confirms HMRC cannot raise new matters not covered in a closure notice

Published on 13 Mar 2018. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Towers Watson Limited v HMRC [2017] TC06241, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC cannot raise new matters which were not covered in the closure notice which it had issued to the appellant company.

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Perspective - Blog

Goldsmith - late filing penalties cancelled by the Tribunal

Published on 05 Mar 2018.

In David Goldsmith v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0005 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has cancelled late filing penalties issued to the taxpayer as the statutory requirements in section 8(1), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA), had not been satisfied and HMRC did not have the power to require the taxpayer to deliver self-assessment returns.

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Perspective - Blog

Rowe and Vital Nut – Court of Appeal delivers its judgments in APN judicial review challenge

Published on 02 Mar 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Rowe and Vital Nut, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the claimant taxpayers' appeals in judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of Accelerated Payment Notices (APNs) and Partner Payment Notices (PPNs).

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Perspective - Blog

Stadion - CJEU confirms circumstances where different elements of a supply can be taxed at different rates

Published on 16 Feb 2018.

In Stadion Amsterdam CV v Staatssecretaris van Financiën C-463/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed that, in the absence of specific statutory language to the contrary, a single supply, which includes two individually priced elements, is taxable at the rate of the principle supply.

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Perspective - Blog

Bilta: litigation privilege attaches to documents created during internal investigation into VAT claim

Published on 16 Feb 2018. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Bilta (UK) Ltd (in liquidation) and ors v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and another [2017] EWHC 2525 (Ch), the High Court has held that documents prepared by the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (RBS) in the course of an investigation into allegations made by HMRC were protected by litigation privilege.

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Perspective - Blog

Cannon: Tax barrister not careless in relying on advice received from his accountant

Published on 07 Feb 2018.

In Cannon v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 859 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal has held that a tax barrister was not careless in relying on tax advice received from an accountant retained to give professional advice on specified issues.

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Perspective - Blog

English Holdings - UT allows set-off of corporation tax loss against general income

Published on 05 Feb 2018. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In English Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 0346 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) upheld a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) which allowed an appeal by a non-UK resident company against a decision of HMRC refusing its claim to offset losses arising in its UK permanent establishment (PE) against profits earned by its UK property rental business.

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Perspective - Blog

Beneficial House – Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices in tax avoidance case

Published on 31 Jan 2018. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

Beneficial House; Stanley Dock; Chancery (UK) LLP, Valhalla Private Client Services LLP; Business Premises Renovation Allowance; BPRA; Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Scheme rules; DOTAS; Tax on restoration of hotel; HMRC closure notices; closure notices; Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices; application for a closure notice; section 28 TMA..

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Perspective - Blog

Cooke: Tribunal allows taxpayer's discovery assessment appeal

Published on 18 Jan 2018.

In Cooke v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 844 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed an appeal against a discovery assessment issued by HMRC pursuant to section 29, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA). The FTT found that the 'hypothetical officer' could have been reasonably expected to be aware that certain claims in the taxpayer's return were excessive.

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Perspective - Blog

Upper Tribunal refuses permission for judicial review of HMRC's policy on prior misapplication of law

Published on 12 Jan 2018.

In The Queen (on the application of R Clarke and others) v HMRC [2017] UKUT 379, the Upper Tribunal (UT) refused an application for permission to judicially review HMRC's decision not to compensate the taxpayer beyond the scope of its published policy contained in Business Brief 28/04.

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Perspective - Blog

Penalties for non-payment of APN can be avoided where it is reasonable to consider an APN unlawful

Published on 20 Dec 2017.

In Chapman v HMRC, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has confirmed that a reasonable belief that an accelerated payment notice (APN) is unlawful can constitute a reasonable excuse for non-payment.

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Perspective - Blog

Spurs 2 : 0 HMRC – payment on early termination of fixed term contract not taxable as earnings

Published on 20 Dec 2017. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Tottenham Hotspur Ltd v HMRC [2017] UKUT 453 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has confirmed the decision of the First-tier Tribunal that payments made by an employer in respect of two football players on early termination of their fixed term contracts were not earnings. They were termination payments and, therefore, were outside the scope of national insurance contributions (NICs).

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Perspective - Blog

United Biscuits: High Court rejects claims for refunds of overpaid VAT

Published on 18 Dec 2017.

In United Biscuits (Pension Trustees) Ltd and another v HMRC [2017] EWHC 2895 (Ch), the High Court held that pension fund management services by non-insurers are standard rated and dismissed the claimant's claim to recover VAT on investment management services for pensions.

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Perspective - Blog

Barclays Wealth Trustees - normal meaning to apply to 'settlement' for IHT purposes

Published on 11 Dec 2017.

In Barclays Wealth Trustees (Jersey) Ltd and Michael Dreelan v HMRC [2017] EWCA Civ 1512, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that inheritance tax will not apply in circumstances where a transfer between excluded property settlements takes place after a settlor becomes domiciled in the UK.

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Perspective - Blog

Jiminez: High Court quashes information notices issued to non-UK resident taxpayer

Published on 05 Dec 2017. By Adam Craggs, Partner

In Jimenez v (1) HMRC & (2) The First Tier Tax Tribunal [2017] EWHC 2585 (Admin), the High Court has quashed an information notice given by HMRC to a non-UK resident taxpayer.

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Perspective - Blog

Bekoe: Tribunal cancels discovery assessments and penalties issued to taxpayer

Published on 27 Nov 2017.

In Edwin Bekoe v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 772, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that the taxpayer was not liable to assessments and penalties where he had demonstrated that deposits paid into his brother's bank account were loans and not undeclared taxable trading income and HMRC's reliance on the "assumption of continuity" principle had been misplaced.

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Perspective - Blog

Benham – Upper Tribunal dismisses HMRC's appeal regarding the correct treatment of a purported amendment of a return relating to a failed rollover claim

Published on 20 Nov 2017. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Benham (Specialist Cars) Limited v HMRC [2017] UKFT 389 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) dismissed HMRC's appeal upholding the decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) that section 153A(4), Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA), does not provide a freestanding right for HMRC to make or amend an assessment in order to bring a rolled-over gain back into charge following the lapse of a declaration of intention to claim roll-over relief made under section 153A(1), TCGA.

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Perspective - Blog

The Barty Party – HMRC's information notice was invalid

Published on 09 Nov 2017.

In The Barty Party Company Limited v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 697, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against an information notice which HMRC had issued pursuant to Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008, on the basis that the information notice was invalid.

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Perspective - Blog

NCL Investments - Tribunal allows deductions against trading profits in EBT case

Published on 06 Nov 2017. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In NCL Investments Limited and another v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 495, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that accounting debits relating to the grant of share options to employees were a deductible expense for corporation tax purposes.

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Perspective - Blog

SUSSEX CARS - Tribunal orders HMRC to pay taxpayer's costs of appeal

Published on 18 Oct 2017.

In Sussex Cars Association v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 0691 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has exercised its discretion, under Rule 10(1)(b) of the Tribunal Rules, to make an order for costs against HMRC on the basis that it had "acted unreasonably in bringing, defending or conducting the proceedings".

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Perspective - Blog

McGreevy – Tribunal describes HMRC's argument as "clap trap" in late filing case

Published on 17 Oct 2017.

In R McGreevy v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 0690 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed a non-resident taxpayer's appeal against a penalty for the late filing of her non-resident CGT (NRCGT) return on the basis that she had a reasonable excuse.

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Perspective - Blog

Gill - Tribunal rejects HMRC's interim applications 

Published on 16 Oct 2017. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

In Gill v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 0597 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) dismissed three interim applications made by HMRC for (1) permission to adduce expert evidence; (2) a direction excluding a large amount of documentation adduced by the taxpayer; and (3) a direction that the taxpayer disclose data in an alternative format to that provided by the taxpayer.

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Perspective - Blog

Chadwick – Discovery assessment on wrong person cannot be remedied by section 114 TMA

Published on 06 Oct 2017.

In Chadwick (as trustee in bankruptcy of Mrs Gloria Oduneye-Braniffe) v The National Crime Agency [2017] UKFTT 656 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held than an assessment issued to a trustee in bankruptcy was a gross error that could not be cured by section 114 of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA).

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Perspective - Blog

Bailey: Quality trumps quantity as Tribunal grants taxpayer principle private residence relief

Published on 27 Sep 2017.

In Stephen Bailey v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 658 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) granted the taxpayer principle private residence relief, under section 222, Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA), despite having only occupied the property in question for two periods of less than six months.

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Perspective - Blog

Gekko – HMRC's unreasonable conduct leads to costs award against it

Published on 19 Sep 2017.

In Gekko & Company Ltd [2017] UKFTT 586 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), in allowing an appeal against assessments to VAT and penalties, awarded the taxpayer its costs as HMRC's conduct had been unreasonable.

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Perspective - Blog

Thathiah: HMRC unsuccessful in first senior accounting officer penalty appeal

Published on 13 Sep 2017. By Michelle Sloane, Partner

In Kreeson Thathiah v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 0601 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed an appeal against penalties which had been assessed on the finance director of a group of companies under the Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) regime, contained in Schedule 46, Finance Act 2009 (FA 2009), as HMRC had failed to establish that he had breached his duty as a SAO.

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