The Budget 2020 decision to decimate the lifetime gains limit of £10m for entrepreneurs’ relief was hardly unexpeccted, but it does raise immediate questions about tax planning. Peter Rayney FCA CTA (Fellow) TEP examines the tax implications for business owners

A mixed Budget of emergency measures for businesses and longer term plans for investment in innovation and changes to tax reliefs has tried to address the immediate concerns of businesses, says Yvette Nunn

Breaking the austerity approach of recent years, the Chancellor signalled a multibillion investment in research and development (R&D) and innovation at the Budget. Stuart Weekes, partner, and Caroline Hunt, director, corporate tax at Crowe, consider whether the tax measures go far enough to stimulate growth

Rishi Sunak’s first Budget failed to prioritise climate change with only limited tax breaks to invest in zero emission cars as coronavirus swept other global issues aside. Yvette Nunn, director of Berkeley Associates on a lost opportunity

Entrepreneurs’ relief should be reshaped to inspire budding entrepreneurs rather than acting as a way to top up pension pots, argues Phil Hall, head of public affairs, AAT

The abolition of ESC D49 in the upcoming Finance Bill will remove a useful tax break for home owners who cannot immediately move into their homes due to late-running renovations. Yvette Nunn CTA explains

An overhaul of entrepreneurs’ relief is high on the agenda as the Chancellor sets out his first Budget next month, but reform rather than abolition is surely a more sensible approach, argues Chris Etherington, tax partner at RSM

During a tax investigation, HMRC will make requests for information, but it must do so within a set timeframe and be justified, fair and reasonable. Withers tax director Jeff Millington explains the rights of taxpayers, discovery powers and time limits

The UK now has a political party with a working majority which should give the Brexit process the backing it needs, but Yvette Nunn CTA ATT MAAT, director of Berkeley Associates is sceptical that this will end tax uncertainty for business

The rise of the digital economy is changing the traditional VAT collection landscape with HMRC struggling to extricate tax as providers argue they are providing app services to third parties and many are based offshore. Sean Glancy, indirect taxes partner at UHY Hacker Young, examines the VAT issues

A rigid £50 cap on the trivial benefits exemption can catch out lucky staff who receive generous gifts from employers. Yvette Nunn CTA ATT MAAT, director of Berkeley Associates, warns of potential tax pitfalls if you receive a lavish Christmas hamper or a wedge of gift vouchers

Dating back to the 1990s, the argument over Robert Gaines-Cooper’s domicile status is back in court, reminding high net worth individuals about the importance of keeping up to date with changes in tax avoidance legislation, warns international tax barrister Leon Fernando Del Canto

Attempts to reform tax reporting for the self employed and landlords need to be carefully thought through to avoid creating more complexity and red tape. Yvette Nunn CTA ATT MAAT, director of Berkeley Associates, assesses the latest OTS report

Entrepreneurs’ relief (ER) should be fully available for properly structured multiple completion share buybacks, but until HMRC issues definitive guidance, advisers should look at alternatives, says Peter Rayney FCA, CTA (Fellow), TEP

The corporate offence of failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion under the Criminal Finances Act 2017 has not been as effective as HMRC originally expected. David Sleight, criminal litigation partner at Kingsley Napley, asks why there have been so few HMRC investigations two years on