The Tax Factor – Episode 107 - Advanced Clearance Schemes, VAT Chickens and a Christmas Pun or Two

This week’s Tax Factor is a festive special, with Ele Theochari and Neil Insull bringing seasonal cheer and tax insight to the podcast. They first look at the Morrisons VAT case involving chickens, unwrapping what the decision means for retailers and why food VAT remains a tricky item on HMRC’s Christmas menu. Next, Ele and Neil turn to advanced clearance schemes, explaining how they work, when they can be used, and why certainty from HMRC can be one of the most valuable gifts for businesses looking to plan ahead. They also run through the top three tax stories making the news this week, adding festive flair and thoughtful commentary. The last episode for 2025 is filled with insights and seasonal puns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Tax Factor, Robert Salter and Suzanne Briggs dive into one of the UK’s most famous VAT debates: the long-running question of whether Jaffa Cakes are truly cakes or biscuits. They go over the case, the reasoning behind the ruling, and why this seemingly light-hearted issue still has serious tax implications today. They also discuss the blockbuster news that Deadpool & Wolverine has secured a record £82 million in UK tax credits - a milestone moment for the film industry. Robert and Suzanne discuss how the incentive system works, why the UK remains a major production hub, and what this could mean for future big-budget films. Rounding out the episode, they look at the tax issues that often surface during the festive season, from staff parties to seasonal perks. Combined with their take on the top three tax stories of the week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Michael Holland and Annie Hughes take listeners across the Atlantic, discussing the top tax stories making headlines before diving into a US-focused episode. They look at Biffy Clyro’s recent tour changes and the tax considerations behind the scenes. Michael and Annie also break down the IRS’s new rules on digital asset reporting, highlighting what individuals and businesses need to watch as crypto and other digital holdings come under closer scrutiny. Finally, they analyse how the latest UK Budget could impact Americans living or investing across the pond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather Self and Heather Powell look at the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget statement. There doesn’t appear to be an awful lot of good news and tax changes that raise as many questions as they answer for entrepreneurs, property owners, businesses and individuals alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Gabby Donald and Stefanie Tremain look at what we genuinely know so far!? After what feels like the longest build-up in years, Stephanie puts it simply: “Expect everything, expect nothing.” Just when it seemed the Budget couldn’t bring any more gloom, another idea surfaces: the Milkshake Tax. With retail already wrestling with complexity, do we really need another layer of rules for such a marginal gain? They also look at the House of Lords’ latest debate on growth and the effect of economic and tax policy on jobs and prosperity. The UK just isn’t currently attractive enough to entrepreneurs, businesses, or wealthy individuals - and that has to change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Tom Goddard and Paul Haywood-Schiefer look at the Government’s possible attempts at fiscal choreography with the potential Income Tax and NICs see-saw. One goes up, one goes down… but as they explain, that doesn’t always mean a neutral outcome for taxpayers. They then discuss what a cap on salary-sacrifice pension contributions would mean: a measure that could be highly attractive to the Treasury while many taxpayers barely feel a ripple. And while pension savers might lose out, families with more than two children could gain significantly if the Child Benefit cap is lifted - though the policy could carry a £4bn price tag. Finally, news of a possible adoption by HMRC of a US-style whistleblower reward scheme, offering up to 30% of tax recovered. A bold, creative and undoubtedly controversial, idea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabby Donald and Paul Noble return to one of our favourite topics – The Budget! Following the Chancellor’s rather unusual breakfast briefing -  did it really tell us anything new? With Bonfire Night still in the air, Gabby wonders if this was the moment when the manifesto pledges finally went on the bonfire. Paul turns to the world of tax and gambling - while your winnings might be tax-free, it’s still worth keeping a record, just in case the taxman fancies a look at your lucky streak. With limited guidance and new rules arriving under the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework the taxation of crypto assets is fast evolving, Gabby and Paul warn this will result in more questions for people with Crypto assets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the 100th episode of The Tax Factor, Robert Salter and Malli Kini take a look back over two rather turbulent years. 2 Prime Ministers, 2 Chancellors of the Exchequer: 2, 3 Major fiscal statements and an election. Robert and Malli then explore how HMRC is using Artificial Intelligence to identify discrepancies and catch out taxpayers, what possible changes could be coming to the taxation of partnerships and LLPs, and why the Revenue’s approach to compliance might make it the “Christmas Grinch” of the season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Tax Factor, we have a special episode featuring Max Schofield from Devereux Chambers, a leading indirect tax Barrister and VAT litigator. Max has worked on some of the very VAT cases we’ve discussed on the show, bringing a rare insider perspective to the stories that often make the headlines. Heather and Max dive into the world of VAT -  the tax everyone pays but few fully understand. From the quirky, headline-grabbing cases to the lessons they reveal about the future of this major revenue-raising tax, Max helps make sense of the complex rules and what they mean for businesses and taxpayers alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Neil Insull and Matt Crawford look at the IFS Green Budget and its warning to Rachel Reeves to avoid “half-baked” tax fixes ahead of the next Budget. They discuss what this could mean for future policy and the pressures facing the Chancellor. They also cover a rare court ruling allowing a judicial review against HMRC five years late, and the Treasury’s plans to tighten the sugar tax,  a move that could see drinks like Ribena and Lucozade changing their recipes once again. And in a final twist, they look at a VAT dispute involving laughing gas that proves there’s nothing funny about tax classification.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.