The UK has lost the top spot as one of Europe’s low-tax jurisdictions, with top earners now paying 3% more tax than the European average

The French government is claiming a ‘historic’ victory in a long running tax battle with Google, after reaching a €945m (£845m) settlement with the tech giant over tax fraud allegations

A 17th-century manor house and a Damien Hearst bronze sculpture were among cultural items accepted by the nation in exchange for tax breaks last year, with the total of £58.6m in tax settlements the highest ever

Almost 40% of global foreign direct investment (FDI), totalling some $15trn, is so-called ‘phantom’ capital intended to minimise a company’s tax liabilities rather than finance productive activity, according to research by the IMF and the University of Copenhagen

The former head of the National Audit Office (NAO), Sir Amyas Morse, will head up the independent review into the controversial loan charge, which has seen HMRC pitted against taxpayers who used disguised remuneration schemes over the last decade, and is set to report by mid November

Bringing taxation on assets in line with the regime for income tax could raise £90bn over five years, according to a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which is calling for the removal of the capital gains tax (CGT) regime

Nimesh Patel, senior tax manager at Grunberg & Co, looks at recent proposals from the Office of Tax Simplification to see whether inheritance tax (IHT) really is set to become less complex and why there would be winners and losers from any reform plan to tax and estate planning

Research reveals taxpayers who are facing difficulties with their tax bills have little or no awareness of help options, but believe HMRC should do more to promote available support and make more use of YouTube

HMRC is questioning the basis for more claims for private residence relief (PRR) than ever before as it eyes up opportunities to increase the tax take from property sales. Croner Taxwise senior tax consultant Neil Tipping highlights potential PPR pitfalls when selling houses and land

The key HMRC filing deadlines from September to December 2019 including corporation tax second quarterly instalment payment for companies with annual taxable profits exceeding £20m, loan charge deadline for reporting to HMRC any disguised remuneration issues, and Making Tax Digital for VAT compliance deadline for deferred entry businesses

In our regular Q&A series, Croner Taxwise tax advisor Alexandra Fielding considers the tax implications for high earners of exceeding the annual allowance limit of £10,000 on pension contributions

As the private sector prepares for the new IR35 rules next year, cracks are beginning to show but clear communication and a real understanding of employment law will help companies avoid expensive errors, explains Ranjit Dhindsa, employment partner at Fisherfield

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is warning taxpayers to check the accuracy of savings income figures shown in their PAYE Notices of Coding and tax calculations (P800 forms) to avoid overpaying tax

Mid-sized businesses do not see tax planning and compliance as a major priority for their businesses but more part of the everyday running of the business, with heavy reliance on accountants and tax agents to handle their tax affairs

Lack of trust in potential in-laws is leading parents to review the use of cash payments to children for house purchases with alternatives such as will trusts and ringfencing deposits under consideration