HMRC has updated the private residence relief (PPR) helpsheet following the case of HMRC v Gerald and Sarah Lee

A round-up of the latest HMRC prosecutions, including a major tax fraud and counterfeit goods case resulting in a £90m confiscation order.

Statutory Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is set to be introduced from 6 April 2025. This new entitlement will apply to babies born on or after 6 April 2025 and will provide eligible employed parents with up to 12 weeks of leave and statutory pay when their babies are admitted to neonatal care for seven or more continuous days, up to 28 days after birth. HMRC have provided a summary of the entitlement in their February 2025 Employer Bulletin, covering:

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published Pension Schemes Newsletter 184, covering forthcoming changes to the normal minimum pension age, non-statutory clearances, disposals of non-standard assets, low earner’s pension payments and DBsurplus payments, among other things.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published its private pension statistics, using 2023/24 outturn data. The statistics cover personal pensions, annual allowance (AA) breaches, lifetime allowance (LTA) breaches, taxable flexible pension payments and the estimated cost of pension Income Tax and National Insurance contribution (NIC) relief.

HMRC has released a collection of guidance and forms detailing the Climate Change Levy. The documents include guidance on registering, record-keeping, reporting, paying and exemptions. Forms, notices and reference material on the levy is also included. The information is provided to assist electricity producers and energy suppliers in navigating the levy.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published Employment Related Securities Bulletin 40 for March 2022. The bulletin sets out how to submit information on the employment related securities (ERS) online service, how to file or amend ERS returns, how to notify EMI options and provide reasonable excuse for missing deadlines. ERS bulletins provide information and updates on developments relating to ERS, including the tax-advantaged employee share schemes.

HMRC has published a General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) Advisory Panel opinion, dated 30 January 2026, addressing inheritance tax (IHT) arrangements involving the gifting of shares held in existing companies to employee trusts. The opinion considers arrangements designed to avoid IHT on lifetime transfers and reduce the value of estates for IHT purposes. The GAAR Advisory Panel concluded that entering into and carrying out such tax arrangements is not a reasonable course of action in relation to the relevant tax provisions. The publication comprises four opinions and should be used alongside the GAAR guidance to help identify potentially abusive tax arrangements.

HMRC has published a General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) Advisory Panel opinion, dated 30 January 2026, addressing inheritance tax avoidance arrangements involving the gifting of shares in existing companies to employee trusts. The opinion considers schemes designed to avoid inheritance tax on lifetime transfers and to reduce the value of estates for inheritance tax purposes. The GAAR Advisory Panel concluded that entering into and carrying out such tax arrangements does not constitute a reasonable course of action under the relevant tax legislation. The publication comprises four separate documents covering different aspects of the arrangements and is intended to help identify arrangements that may amount to abusive tax avoidance under the GAAR regime.

HMRC has published an Insolvency Practitioner’s Handbook, introducing 27 sections that deliver comprehensive guidance on a broad spectrum of insolvency-related matters. The handbook covers procedural requirements for insolvency notifications, VAT registration cancellations, and the effective management of claims and returns. In addition, it provides information on complex issues, including bad debt relief, credit arrangements, partnership considerations, and property-related matters. This handbook is designed to improve clarity and operational efficiency for insolvency practitioners by establishing a robust framework that addresses both traditional concerns and emerging financial and tax challenges.

HMRC has published a new guidance manual on the requirements and conditions for mandatory tax advisor registration.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published the March 2024 issue of the Employer Bulletin. This edition of the Bulletin covers the announcements made by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in the Spring Budget, including changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, changes to the National Insurance Contributions rate from 6 April 2024, and increases to the annual national minimum wage rate.