In the news: May 2025

‘We welcome the government’s focus on simplifying the tax system and improving customer service – rightly two key priorities for HMRC as the tax authority heads into its third decade. A more straightforward, easy to navigate tax system could free up business owners and managers to focus on growing their businesses, rather than spending their days overcoming bureaucratic hurdles.’

CIOT’s Ellen Milner, quoted in Your Money (Daily Mail) and more than 90 regional titles, commenting on the tax minister’s announcements at the CIOT-ICAEW conference marking 20 years of HMRC, 13 March

‘Professional bodies acknowledge that HMRC has a difficult balancing act to protect the public purse from the R&D credit abuse it has suffered, while also supporting legitimate claims. “It is a challenging compliance landscape, people are walking away from claims and that’s a failing of the relief but at the same time, there was a lot of fraud and error and they’ve got to do something about that,” says Emma Rawson, director of public policy at the ATT.’

Financial Times, 14 March (article also quoted CIOT)

‘It’s really important to note that the amount you can get tax free is staying at £1,000. The only thing that’s moving is when you have to file a tax return… HMRC are going to have to be incredibly clear when they write out to people in their communications.’

Emma Rawson of ATT on Radio 4 Money Box, 15 March. ATT’s Helen Thornley appeared on the same show on 29 March

‘As well as those selling “goods” on sites such as eBay and Vinted, those who sell “services” via online platforms may also be liable for tax. According to the LITRG, “seller statements” may also get sent to the likes of Uber drivers and Deliveroo delivery drivers.’

Telegraph, 21 March

‘The Chartered Institute of Taxation, a body for tax professionals, says getting in sync with other countries would increase efficiency and reduce friction.’

The Economist, 27 March, exploring why the tax year ends on 5 April