BT Reopens 10 Year Old VAT Case

BT appears to have successfully lifted a stay against a decade old restitution suit in the UK High Court for VAT refunds, which originally claimed that HMRC owed them £91.8 million plus interest in overpaid tax.

The situation began in early 2009 after BT wrote to HMRC making a claim for hitherto unclaimed VAT on “bad debt relief” for the period 1st January 1978 to 31st March 1989, which arose because BT had accounted for the standard rate of VAT on its supplies to customers but, in some cases, those customers had failed to pay the operator (either in part or at all) for its supplies.

The law wrongfully said that debtors had to be forced into insolvency before the VAT could be clawed back. HMRC refused to repay the disputed amount and BT ended up appealing before the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) against HMRC’s decision (see details of the last case here).

The case ended up in a sort of legal limbo, until 2017 when HMRC made a legal application to strike out BT’s FTT case. According to The Register, BT then asked the High Court last August 2019 to lift the stay on its case there and Mr Justice Fancourt has now done exactly that.


This of course won't progress very rapidly during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Tax does have to be taxing.

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COVID-19 HMRC Clearance Applications

As per Rossmartin.co.uk:

"HMRC have advised that due to COVID-19 they are currently unable to deal with certain clearance applications, the stamping of documents or the payment of stamp duty by post.

Non-statutory clearance applications, stock transfer forms for stamping and stamp duty relief applications must all be sent by email, with stamp duty payments to be made electronically by Faster Payments, Bacs, or CHAPS.  

Statutory clearance applications can already be sent to HMRC by email. As yet HMRC have not issued any guidance about whether they will continue to accept postal applications but it is assumed that they will not."

Tax does have to be taxing.

Tax Investigation Insurance

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

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HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC Closes Parliament Square, Euston Square and Canary Wharf Offices

It would appear that #Hmrc has now closed their 100 Parliament Square office completely, as well as Euston Square and Canary Wharf.

All meetings cancelled til July due to Covid19 (and us pointing out last week how irresponsible it is by #JimHarrassment keeping them open)!

— GlobalLoanChargeAlliance (@loan_global) March 30, 2020

Tax does have to be taxing.

Tax Investigation Insurance

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

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HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC's Role In The Self Employed Income Support Scheme

HMRC will pay the single lump sum direct into people’s bank accounts (scheme summarised here).

Individuals should not contact HMRC.

HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility and invite applications once the scheme is operational.

I understand, please correct me if I am wrong, that HMRC will be creating some form of digital portal for this?

Tax does have to be taxing.

Tax Investigation Insurance

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

You have the peace of mind knowing that your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees will be paid by the insurance without any Excess for you to find.

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HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC Helpline Number Changed For Covid-19

Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)

New HMRC helpline launched to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Published 11 March 2020
Last updated 26 March 2020 — see all updates

From:

HM Revenue & Customs

HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The helpline allows any business or self-employed individual who is concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus to get practical help and advice. Up to 2,000 experienced call handlers are available to support businesses and individuals when needed.

If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 024 1222.

For those who are unable to pay due to coronavirus, HMRC will discuss your specific circumstances to explore:

• agreeing an instalment arrangement
• suspending debt collection proceedings
• cancelling penalties and interest where you have administrative difficulties contacting or paying HMRC immediately

The helpline number is 0800 024 1222 - and is an addition to other HMRC phone contact numbers.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. The helpline will not be available on Bank Holidays.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Tax Investigation Insurance

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

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HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC Special Treatment For Expats Stuck In The UK

HMRC has issued advice to British expatriates stuck in the UK due to coronavirus over tax residence rules.

HMRC will allow special treatment to be given to expatriates that face risking their non-residence tax status through being stuck in the UK longer than anticipated.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Tax Investigation Insurance

Having a Solar Protect Tax Investigation Insurance policy at your disposal means that should you be one of the many 1000's of businesses or individuals that are selected by HMRC each year to look into your tax affairs your own accountant (your tax return agent) can get on and defend you robustly.

You have the peace of mind knowing that your accountant's (your tax return agent) fees will be paid by the insurance without any Excess for you to find.

Please click here for details.


HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"