Agent Update February 2009 issue 10
Service
Business support
HMRC launches video guides for small businesses
If your new and small business clients have basic tax questions, point them to the Tax Help section on the Business Link website for a series of bite-sized video guides.
New training support for businesses
The Train to Gain programme is now providing more public funding for small business training, to improve employee skills and boost business productivity. Additional support for apprentices is now available.
Business Payment Support Service
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has introduced an online and telephone service to assist customers who need more time to pay their tax. Agents with authority from their clients can call the Business Payment Support line on Tel 0845 302 1435 or visit the HMRC website for more information. A decision and ' Time To Pay' (TTP) can typically be reached in minutes.
Departments across government have joined up to launch a campaign to bring real help to businesses in the current economic climate in one easy-to-access place. Agents can help clients to:
- access business loans and long-term finance
- manage cashflow
- get a business ' health check'
- reduce waste and save money
- get time to pay tax bills
- get funding to support training, improve staff skills and recruitment, and advice on managing or avoiding redundancy
- deal with staff restructures and other major business changes
' Real Help for Businesses Now' is available on Tel 0845 600 9006 or through the Business Link website.
Real help for businesses now on the Business Link website
Corporation Tax
North London and Berkshire reorganisation
The Corporation Tax records of companies and organisations previously dealt with by HMRC offices in Winchmore Hill, Colindale and Reading have now transferred to HMRC NW London, Lyon House, Lyon Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 2DG. Tel 020 8901 3354.
Maidstone and Woking reorganisation
The Corporation Tax records of companies and organisations previously dealt with by HMRC offices in Maidstone and Woking have now transferred to HMRC S London, 6th Floor, Southern House, Wellesley Grove, Croydon CR9 1WW. Tel 020 8633 4500.
East and West Hampshire reorganisation
The Corporation Tax records of companies and organisations previously dealt with by HMRC offices in Portsmouth and Southampton have now transferred to HMRC Sussex, Crown House, 11 Regent Hill, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 3ER. Tel 01273 225340.
HMRC banking services
Paying HMRC online by Direct Debit
HMRC customers who use the Construction Industry Scheme, Corporation Tax, PAYE for Employers, Self Assessment and Pensions Schemes (for administrators) Online Services can set up a Direct Debit online for a:
- single Direct Debit payment
- monthly or weekly Budget Payment Plan (for Self Assessment customers)
- Tax Credit Repayment Plan over periods of 12 months
The new facility validates the payment reference, protects the customer with the Direct Debit Guarantee, saves postage if the customer normally sends payment in the post and helps Self Assessment customers to provide for future liabilities.
Paying HMRC by credit card and new bankers
HMRC has introduced online payment by credit card as part of a modernised number of payment options. In addition, HMRC is to change its bankers to Royal Bank of Scotland and Citi during 2009. As a result of this change, all HMRC bank accounts and sort codes will be changing and customers will need to update their payment instructions to ensure payments continue to be received by HMRC.
All ' Paying HMRC' information and HMRC forms are being updated to show the new bank details. Customers should check the ' Paying HMRC' pages of the website for updated payment information. Further information on the changes will be published under the ' What' s New' section of the HMRC website at regular intervals throughout 2009.
The official rate of interest used to calculate the value of the benefit in kind on an employment-related loan on which tax is due will be 4.75 per cent from 1 March 2009.
HMRC website
Website improvements
The Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax and Charities sections of the HMRC website have been redesigned to make information easier to find and understand.
Capital Gains Tax
Corporation Tax
Charities and giving to charity
Online Services
Feedback from HMRC on topics raised by agents regarding online filing
The five new topics addressed in this online feedback section are:
- Corporation Tax - the availability of online CT600 and online product
- discussing your clients' affairs with HMRC
- PAYE Online - expenses claimed under S336 ITEPA 2003 and the online process
- Self Assessment Online - penalty notices for late filing and issue dates
- Self Assessment - two filing deadlines
A new phishing email aiming to steal personal information is in circulation. Information on what to do and examples of the email have been published.
Research
Survey update
In Agent Update 7, HMRC asked for your help to understand more about the tax agent community. HMRC would like to thank all those who participated in this research and the help that you gave the agencies who conducted this project on our behalf.
HMRC are currently evaluating the information and will be sharing this with the accountancy representative bodies over the next few weeks before embarking on a wider dissemination amongst key stakeholders.
What do you think of Agent Update? Please let HMRC know by completing an online survey. It will take approximately five minutes and is anonymous.
Thank you for your time.
