The Tax Factor - Episode 98 - From Ribena to Reeves, No Laughing Matter

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.

This week on The Tax Factor, Annie Hughes and Sarah Stenton look at the stories making headlines in tax and business. Annie looks at Revolut founder Nik Storonsky’s move from the UK to the UAE, part of a wider trend of wealthy individuals changing their tax residency since the non-dom regime ended. Sarah highlights HMRC’s warning to pensioners about withdrawal schemes that sound too good to be true, while across the Atlantic, Donald Trump’s threat of new truck tariffs adds more uncertainty to global trade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Salter and Tom Goddard look at the now infamous “donkey field” connected to Keir Starmer. With politicians’ tax affairs under the spotlight yet again, Robert explains why the arrangement looks more like straightforward trust planning than a scandal, and sometimes what makes the front page isn’t really much of a tax dodge at all. The pair explore what this story says about public attitudes to politicians and tax — and whether the criticism is fair or just noise. Then it’s over to the NFL’s return to London, where visiting players could find themselves facing a very different kind of tackle: the UK tax system. Filing returns and paying into the UK’s fiscal black hole might not feature in the playbook, but it’s all part of the rules. Finally, Robert and Tom discuss HMRC’s recent stakeholder conference. Promises of closer working with advisers sound great on paper but as changes regarding National Insurance show, HMRC’s actions don’t always match the words.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Matt Crawford and Suzanne Briggs discuss the Resolution Foundation’s Budget proposals including a new salt and sugar tax and what that could mean for already rising food prices. Matt also runs through some draft legislation that’s been published, which some may find heavy-handed given how tricky the rules can be. Suzanne takes us through a case in the Upper Tribunal, Executors of Elborne & others v HMRC, where HMRC suffered a rare loss. But she cautions that anyone in a similar position should still take advice, as the story may not end here. And finally, a case that left one taxpayer on a very sticky wicket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Tax Factor, Malli Kini and Stefanie Tremain show why precision matters in both politics and tax with Nigel Farage learning the hard way that there’s a big difference between “I” and “we.” The conversation then turns to the ICAEW’s warning about Government plans to regulate tax agents. While the idea might sound straightforward, could it actually make the system less effective rather than more secure? And finally, the National Audit Office reports that HMRC is losing billions to small business tax evasion including more than £800 million through the practice of phoenixing but it also warns there doesn’t seem to be an effective strategy to deal with it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Tax Factor, Rehana Earle and Ele Theochari talk about the fallout from Angela Rayner’s resignation and what it says about the complexity of the UK tax system. Was it a simple SDLT mistake or something more? They also look at Labour’s revived debate on wealth taxes and Rachel Reeves’ cautious approach to reform ahead of November’s Budget. HMRC has an increasing focus not just on the users of avoidance schemes but also on the individuals promoting them – including a barrister now in the spotlight and footballers facing hefty tax bills. And at a tribunal, one taxpayer tried the excuse that “rodents ate my receipts.” A creative attempt, but no cigar – just like the old “dog ate my homework,” it didn’t wash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tax Factor is back for its second episode of the season. This week, Neil Insull is joined by Annie Hughes for her debut appearance, as they look at the top tax stories making the news: we finally have a date for the Autumn Budget. But the real question is what the Chancellor might have in store. Could inheritance tax be in the firing line? Will we see changes to the VAT threshold or even VAT rates themselves? And with stamp duty complexity hitting the headlines, is now the moment for long-discussed reforms to property tax?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tax Factor is back after its summer break! In this episode, Blick Rothenberg CEO Nimesh Shah is joined by Tom Goddard for his debut appearance on the podcast. Together, they discuss how frozen tax thresholds and fiscal drag have quietly become one of the Government’s most powerful tools for raising revenue. The conversation also looks ahead to the upcoming Autumn Budget, exploring the options and levers the Chancellor may use to plug the UK’s growing fiscal black hole. Stay tuned for an insightful discussion that kicks off our biggest season yet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.