In this week’s miscellaneous updates, HMRC has sent the March 2025 Stakeholder Digest and we are now able to share that HMRC has paused the issuing of Self-Assessment (SA) repayments for new claims via phone, including the Agent Dedicated Line (ADL), and webchat until further notice. We remind you that HMRC’s new email query service for agents is live and the Institute for Fiscal Studies has published a podcast looking at the future of corporation tax to mark its 60th anniversary. And finally, the Charter Stakeholder Group has launched a survey on HMRC’s performance against the HMRC Charter. HMRC has paused certain SA repayments Last month HMRC made us aware that it had paused SA repayments for new claims via phone (including the ADL) and webchat until further notice. We are now officially able to share this information. The message from HMRC is as follows: “On Thursday 27 March HMRC paused the issuing of SA repayments for new claims over the telephone (including ADL) and via webchat until further notice. This measure is part of enhanced security controls introduced in response to an increase in the ongoing suspected fraudulent repayment attempts. Agents can continue to claim client refunds online via their agent account. Agents who are unable to access their online account are advised to contact our OSH on 0300 200 3600. Digitally excluded customers will need to apply by post.   If your client contacts us directly they will be advised that the best way to claim refunds is online via their online tax account or through their agent.  The majority of requests relating to existing SA repayments can continue to be made via telephone and webchat.  A small number of existing claims may be impacted by our enhanced security controls. In these limited circumstances customers will also need to claim their refund online. Telephone and webchat can continue to be used for all other SA enquiries. Please ask your members to continue to support us by:  being extra vigilant for phishing scams that could result in fraudsters gaining access to agent accounts and client tax records   choosing strong passwords and changing them regularly   paying close attention to any advice or instruction from HMRC regarding account security, particularly in the event of an agent account suspension.” Reminder: new HMRC email query service for agents This service went live from 31 March. As agents must use the ‘Where’s my reply’ process first before using the email query service, details of how to access the service are integrated into HMRC's Tax agents handbook. Go to 'Contacting HMRC' and 'Check progress and service levels' where you will see the email address which is: personaltaxqueryresolutionserviceforagents@hmrc.gov.uk. HMRC has advised that this email address is likely to change so please always ensure you refer to the full guidance should you wish to use this service. Charter Stakeholder Group 2024/25 HMRC performance survey The Charter Stakeholder Group has launched its 2024/25 survey seeking feedback on HMRC's performance against the standards in the HMRC Charter. The results of the survey are shared anonymously with HMRC and published in the Charter Annual Report. The survey contains 11 choice questions and a box for broader comments (250 words only). Responses can be made until 2 May 2025. Anyone who is an agent and a taxpayer and wants to respond in both capacities should complete the survey twice.  

The Institute is formulating its response to the consultation “Electronic invoicing: promoting e-invoicing across UK businesses and the public sector” and wants to hear your views. This week is your last opportunity to share your views. Email tax@charteredaccountants.ie to participate. The purpose of this consultation is to gather views on standardising electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) and how to increase adoption of e-invoicing across UK businesses and the public sector. The consultation explores how different e-invoicing approaches may align with businesses and aims to support the development of a UK approach and is open until 7 May 2025. Please share your views with us by Friday 18 April 2025. Should you wish to respond individually, responses are being accepted by submitting a form or by email to einvoicingconsultation@hmrc.gov.uk.  

Our short six question survey on Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax which opened last week remains open for responses. The survey will close on Friday 25 April and will take less than 5 minutes to complete. A more detailed survey on MTD will be launched later before the summer. Take the survey now.  Despite our reservations about MTD, the Institute will continue to work with HMRC on MTD readiness and is developing a cross-department MTD strategy to assist members in their preparations. We will also continue to represent members views as we approach April 2026.  HMRC is working with an independent research agency, Verian, to understand the impact of MTD for  income tax on taxpayers. The research has recently been extended until 8 May 2025. See Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method for more information. HMRC has also recently published guidance and a new YouTube video to assist agents with the MTD client sign-up process. Several new software providers have also recently been added to the HMRC’s list of MTD compatible software.

Revenue is developing a system whereby a notification will issue to an agent's ROS Inbox listing all clients that have been issued with a final demand that week. The notification is expected to issue each Monday following the issue of final demands to taxpayers earlier in the day. Final demands are preceded by an initial request for payment, providing the taxpayer with 7 days to make a payment. The Institute is inviting members to take a short two question survey to assess if members would find it beneficial to receive a notification to their ROS inbox with the weekly list of payment requests, in addition to the new list of final demands. Take the survey now.

Last week, the government of South Africa hosted the seventeenth plenary meeting of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). In a public statement by the Inclusive Framework, agreed at the meeting, members recognised the importance of securing certainty and stability in the international tax system, and the need to continue discussions on the Two-Pillar Solution and other items for a future agenda using a phased, evidence-based approach.

The FISC subcommittee has published a draft report on the role of simple tax rules and tax fragmentation in European competitiveness. On 24 April 2025 the subcommittee will discuss simplification, digitalisation and stronger cooperation among Members States to alleviate regulatory and administrative burdens, particularly for SMEs.

The FISC subcommittee will host a public hearing on “The role of tax in aligning the green transition and competitiveness” on 24 April 2025. The hearing will examine tax incentives for clean energy, aviation, and maritime transport and explore how fiscal measures can support the green transition and enhance sustainability in these key sectors.

In Irish news this week, the US administration announces tariffs on EU imports and the Fiscal Monitor for March 2025 has been published. In UK news, we look at the key tax changes which have taken effect with the start of the new financial and tax years, and we encourage members to take our short survey on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.  In International news, the OECD has updated the central record of Pillar Two legislation with qualified status for a transitional period. Ireland 1. Read about the tariffs recently announced by President Trump and we provide some relevant key information resources for practitioners. 2. The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have published the Fiscal Monitor for March 2025 which confirms an Exchequer surplus of €4.1 billion to the end of March. UK 3. Read about the key tax changes which have taken effect from this month as the new financial and tax years commence. 4. Take our short survey on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. International The OECD central record of Pillar Two legislation which has transitional qualified status has been updated. 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. You can also read this week’s post EU exit corner.    

It’s now less than a year to the first tranche of mandation of MTD for income tax for unincorporated sole trade businesses and landlords with turnover exceeding £50,000. The Institute is inviting those members affected by this change to take a short five question survey which we are using as a temperature check to assess readiness and further discuss the challenges this presents with HMRC. The survey will remain open for the next two weeks and will take less than 5 minutes to complete. A more detailed survey on MTD will be launched before the summer. Take the survey now.  The Northern Ireland Tax Committee met recently with HMRC’s MTD Programme Director who also was in attendance at the February 2025 Practice News webinar. HMRC gave an update on the current status of the MTD project whilst also reflecting on its challenges. HMRC’s ambitions for the next phase of testing in 2025/26 were also discussed. HMRC has recently been writing to agents who are likely to have clients in the first phase of mandation; this is now being followed by letters to taxpayers.   HMRC is also keen to hear about the plans of our member firms to get ready for this major change and specifically why firms are not planning to take part in testing in 2025/26. In particular HMRC would welcome views on what challenges/blockers are getting in the way of participation. Email tax@charteredacocuntants.ie to share your views.  Despite our reservations about MTD, the Institute will continue to work with HMRC on MTD readiness and is developing a cross-department MTD strategy to assist members in their preparations. We will also continue to represent members views as we approach April 2026.  HMRC has also published new guidance for agents about client authorisations and signing clients up for making tax digital for income tax. The step by step guides for agents and individuals and guidance for sole traders and landlords have also been updated. These publications are available as follows:  Add your client authorisations for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, Sign up your client for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax as an agent: step by step, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for individuals: step by step, and Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. From 7 April 2025 until next April, HMRC will also be contacting users who have signed up to participate in the MTD trial about how the testing of the service is progressing. 

In order to assist readers, we have highlighted some key information resources to help you understand the impact of last week’s tariffs. There have been comments from all across the Accountancy profession, including some helpful publications providing tips for businesses as they adapt to the new global trading conditions. We also bring you the official White House publications which have accompanied the announcement of the tariffs. This includes the Fact Sheet which sets out the administration’s basis for claiming that the tariffs are a necessary tool to combat the myriad trade deficits the US operates with its global trading partners. Press releases from Government and the EU Statement by President von der Leyen on the announcement of universal tariffs by the US Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on US decision to impose tariffs Statement from the Tánaiste on US announcements on tariffs House of Commons on what US tariffs on EU goods could mean for Northern Ireland Commentary from Accountancy profession KPMG - US tariffs - Understanding the implications for Ireland and the EU Grant Thornton - The implications of tariffs and trade wars PwC - US reciprocal tariffs EY – What are the implications of US President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on global trade Deloitte - Tackling shifting tariffs: Timely tips for business leaders BDO – Tariffs & Trade in 2025: Practical Steps for Exporters and Importers Insights from Tax Research Tax Foundation - Trump Tariffs: The Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War Chartered Accountants Ireland reaction to US administration’s new tariffs Parliamentary Budget Office Trade between Ireland and the US April 2025 Official White House material Official White House Executive Order Official White House Article – “Tariffs Work – and President Trump’s First Term Proves It” Official White House Fact Sheet declaring National Emergency US International Trade Administration Official Website 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers

The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have published the Fiscal Monitor for March 2025 which confirms an exchequer surplus of €4.1 billion to the end of March. This compares to a deficit of €0.3 billion recorded for the same period last year. Tax receipts collected to the end of March were €23.6 billion, which was €3.5 billion ahead of the same period last year. Excluding the once off receipts from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgement in the Apple State Aid case, total receipts amounted to €21.9 billion, an increase of €1.8 billion. Income tax receipts for the quarter were €8.2 billion which was €0.3 billion (3.6 per cent) ahead of the same period in 2024. Corporation tax receipts of €4.8 billion were collected in the quarter which was an increase on the last period last year by €2.3 billion. When once-off CJEU revenues are excluded, cumulative corporation tax receipts to the end of March 2025 amounted to €3.0 billion, ahead of the same period last year by €0.6 billion. VAT receipts for the first quarter of 2025 were €7.6 billion ahead of the same period last year by €0.5 billion. Commenting on the figures, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said: “I deeply regret the announcements in relation to tariffs announced by the US administration yesterday. Tariffs are economically destructive; they drive up the cost of doing business, put upward pressure on inflation, all the while creating uncertainty for investment and future growth This is clearly an exceptionally uncertain period for our economy, but today’s figures show that, because of the careful management of our public finances, we are approaching the challenges ahead from a position of strength”

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe has today published the General Scheme of Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bill provides for a new Local Property Tax (LPT) valuation period which will commence in 2026 and will last for five years. LPT liabilities will be calculated by reference to self-assessed market values as of 1 November 2025 and it is estimated that 96 percent of properties in the State will remain in their existing band. The changes are expected to generate approximately 8 percent additional yield for LPT annually for local authorities. The main changes are as follows: Valuation bands will be widened by 20 percent which results in most property owners (those with properties valued at €525,000 or lower on 1 November 2025) paying between €5 and €25 extra a year, Base LPT charges will increase by between 5 to 6 percent for properties valued under €1.26 million, For LPT liabilities on properties valued between €1.26 million and €2.1 million, the base LPT charges will increase by 7 to 14 percent to reflect the significant increase in property value since 2021, Properties valued at €2.1 million or above will be subject to LPT based on the actual value of the property, The income thresholds for deferral of LPT will be adjusted to account for inflation, wage growth and increases in State payments since 2021, The LPT exemption for properties damaged by defective concrete blocks will be expanded, ensuring relevant properties in Clare, Limerick and Sligo will become eligible for this LPT exemption, Subject to a data protection impact assessment, Eircode’s will become a mandatory field in LPT returns, and A change is being made to the local adjustment factor which allows local authorities to vary the amount of LPT collected in their area. From 2026 onwards, local authorities will be able to vary LPT collected upwards by a maximum of 25 percent. The maximum they may choose to vary LPT downwards by will remain at 15 percent. A table comparing the current and proposed LPT charge structure is included in the Press Release.  Commenting on the changes, Minister Donohoe said: “Together with my government colleagues, I have worked to find a way that will deliver on our commitment to ensure fairness in relation to Local Property Tax. Given the growth in property prices in recent years, the proposed changes are fair, progressive, and will ensure consistency and stability in the upcoming valuation period. The Programme for Government commits to ‘ensure fairness and stability in Local Property Tax payments and continue to retain revenue collected locally in the same local authority’. I believe that the measures announced today achieve that objective”.