In Irish news, Revenue is to host a weeklong outreach event for over-65s and government has published the updated General Scheme Land Value Sharing and Urban Developments Zones Bill. In UK news, HMRC is once again restricting access to the Agent Dedicated Line and the most recent Agent Update is available. In International news, Zimbabwe joins the Global Forum.  Ireland Revenue is to host an outreach event for over-65s from Monday 24 March to Friday 28 April 2023 in the Central Revenue Information Office (CRIO) at Cathedral Street, Dublin 1. Government has published the updated General Scheme Land Value Sharing and Urban Developments Zones Bill. UK From 17 April to 2 June, HMRC is restricting the types of queries dealt with by the Agent Dedicated Line. The most recent Agent Update is available. International Zimbabwe has joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum).   Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount.          

From today, Monday 17 April until 2 June 2023, HMRC has decided to restrict the use of the Agent Dedicated Line (“ADL”). In this time window, the ADL will only deal with queries on self-assessment penalties and PAYE coding notices. If a query cannot be answered by the ADL, HMRC advises agents to use the relevant online service, or the main helpline instead. The decision to restrict the ADL once again is a concerning one and raises the question of how the ADL will be run in future. Chartered Accountants Ireland is discussing this with HMRC and would welcome your feedback on the impact of this restriction. More information on the ADL restriction is available in an email from HMRC which also sets out details of online services and hints and tips for writing to HMRC. According to HMRC this restriction is temporary, however, it is the second such restriction in 2023 and comes against a background of resource and budget constraints in the department as it seeks to move to develop and introduce additional online services. The decision to restrict the ADL had already been made when HMRC recently shared details of the restriction with the Professional Bodies.

Agent Update: issue 106 is available and contains the latest guidance and information for agents including:- ‌‌‌More time for voluntary National Insurance contributions; Reporting expenses and benefits for the tax year ending 5‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2023; Update on employer Direct Debits and Time to Pay arrangements; Update to digital handshake consent for VAT; and Accelerated payment notices and late payment penalties.

In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The latest Trader Support Service and Borders Weekly Stakeholder Bulletins (6 April and 14 April) are also available. Miscellaneous updated guidance etc. The latest guidance updates, and publications relevant to EU exit are as follows:- Customs declaration completion requirements for Great Britain; Report goods exported to the EU using inward or outward processing; Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; Reference Documents for The Customs (Tariff Quotas) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; Reference document for authorised use: eligible goods and authorised uses; Reference documents for The Customs (Reliefs from a Liability to Import Duty and Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; Check simplified procedure value rates for fresh fruit and vegetables; Classifying electrical equipment for import and export; Classifying tobacco for import and export; Apply to import multiple low value parcels on one declaration; and Search the register of customs agents and fast parcel operators.

HMRC has published a collection of guidance to assist businesses in determining if they are required to register for and account for UK VAT when they sell to UK customers via an online marketplace or directly, for example, via their website. The guidance essentially brings together and updates prior guidance and is also available in simplified Chinese. Overseas sellers making taxable sales in the UK, either through an online marketplace or directly to customers, must register and account for UK VAT.

In a move to enhance all forms of exchanges of information and administrative cooperation in matters of international taxation, the European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Council Directive 2011/16/EU.

Zimbabwe has become the 167th member of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum). Members of the Global Forum include all G20 countries, all OECD members, all international financial centres and a large number of developing countries.

Revenue has updated its Tax and Duty Manual regarding the deduction for statutory registration fees paid to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU). The main change is that podiatrists have been added to the register of professionals maintained by CORU. 

The Companies Registration Office (CRO) has published a reminder that from 23 April 2023 company directors will be required to provide their PPSNs when filing Forms A1, B1, B10 and B69. Directors without an Irish PPSN must apply for a Verified Identity Number (VIF) using a Form VIF. Further information is available at www.cro.ie.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has published the updated General Scheme for the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill. The legislation provides for a new Land Value Sharing (LVS) charge of 30 percent on the difference between existing use value and the market value on land zoned for housing. LVS aims to ensure local authorities and communities benefit from a fairer share in land value increases arising from State decisions relating to the zoning of land. To ensure that communities benefit, all LVS revenue will be ring-fenced for the infrastructure that is needed to support development, including housing. Commenting on the General Scheme of the Bill, Minister O’Brien said: “This legislation marks another important milestone towards fundamental reform of urban development, land management and housing provision in Ireland. Under this legislation, communities will get a greater benefit from State zoning decisions. Land Value Sharing will also influence land transactions with the aim of limiting the speculation that affects land prices, and by extension, the cost of housing.”

Revenue, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP), is to host a week long outreach event titled “Over 65 – all you need to know about tax”. The event will take place in Revenue’s Central Revenue Information Office (CRIO) at Cathedral Street, Dublin 1 from Monday 24 April to Friday 28 April 2023. The information sessions will address Income Tax, PAYE, Capital Acquisitions Tax, Local Property Tax, and DSP pensions. Age Action will also make a presentation. Further information is contained in the Revenue notice linked above.

In Irish news, the ROS pay & file extension date for 2022 income tax returns is announced, the Institute responds to the public consultation on Ireland’s personal tax system and the Minister for Finance publishes the terms of reference for the Department of Finance review of Ireland’s funds sector. In UK developments, the Institute tells HMRC that more time is needed to consider the proposal to merge the two R&D tax relief regimes and HMRC interest rates have increased again. Ireland The due date for the filing of the 2022 Form 11 and the payment of taxes is extended to Wednesday, 15 November 2023 for taxpayers who pay and file through ROS only. Read the Institute’s response to the public consultation on Ireland’s personal tax system. The Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, has published the terms of reference for the Department of Finance to conduct a review of Ireland’s funds sector. UK The Institute tells HMRC that more time is needed to consider the proposal to merge the two R&D tax relief regimes. HMRC announce a further increase in interest rates.     Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount.