Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
HMRC has opened the second phase of mandatory tax adviser registration, with eligible advisers required to register by 18th November 2026. Phase two of the new online registration requirement for tax advisers rolls out. Advisers with Self Assessment or Corporation Tax accounts, but without an agent services account (ASA), now need to register. Advisers who … Continue reading Second tax adviser registration window now open
HMRC crackdown targets criminals exploiting the high street. HMRC will carry out more than 30,000 interventions this year to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity on the high street. Action targets organised crime groups and others exploiting vape shops, barbers and convenience stores in hotspot areas. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) made unannounced visits to six … Continue reading Dodgy shops: “We are coming for you”
A new report released .. reveals the strides being made to improve the accuracy of the Companies House register and disrupt economic crime. The report is the latest update into the implementation of parts 1 to 3 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act) which brought reforms to UK company law in almost … Continue reading Progress made in cleaning up Companies House register as further steps taken to tackle economic crime
From Monday 18th May 2026, a new registration requirement for tax advisers will roll out. New mandatory tax adviser registration requirements is claimed to protect customers and raise standards in tax advice. Online registration will roll out in stages between 18th May 2026 and 31st March 2027. Registration is free, and step-by-step guidance is available … Continue reading Check if you need to register as a Tax adviser – that includes payroll
UK drives international action to go after scammers at the Global Fraud Summit, hosted by the United Nations in Vienna on 16th - 17th March 2026 Fraudsters targeting the British public will be hunted down by a new INTERPOL Global Taskforce, launched at the Global Fraud Summit. Codenamed Operation Shadow Storm, the new taskforce will … Continue reading Global taskforce to hunt down overseas scammers
HMRC are introducing the requirements to register in stages. From 18th May 2026, HMRC will introduce an online registration system for agent services accounts to register as tax adviserz. If a payroll service already has an agent services account, they will not need to register again. However, HMRC will contact them through the agent services … Continue reading Payroll services to register as Tax Advisers and have AML responsibilities
Tax advisers who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients will be legally required to register and meet minimum standards before doing so. This begins in May 2026, with a transitional period of at least 3 months for all tax adviser groups. A digital registration process will be available, with a non-digital alternative for those … Continue reading Tax advisers to register with HMRC and meet minimum standards
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launches first major cryptocurrency investigation into suspected fraud. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) (20th November 2025) have issued an appeal for investors to come forward with any information they hold about the collapse of a $28 million cryptocurrency scheme called Basis Markets. The SFO launched an investigation into the suspected fraudulent scheme with two raids in West Yorkshire … Continue reading Investigation into $28 million crypto scheme
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. Some of these topics have already been covered by PAYadvice.UK in articles and blogs and further articles and blogs may now additionally be published. The August edition of Employer Bulletin includes … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: August 2025
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have confirmed the intention Payroll Service providers to be registered along with other Tax Advisers from 1st April 2026 New requirements are being introduced for all tax advisers to register with HMRC and meet minimum standards. So who are tax advisers According to the UK government, Tax advisers are those … Continue reading Payroll Service providers to be registered from April 2026
Nationwide clampdown on delivery riders working illegally Ramp-up of arrests and visits set to take place across the UK targeting migrants working illegally in the gig economy The U.K. government Home Office Enforcement teams are gearing up to launch a nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants … Continue reading Delivery riders working illegally!
As part of announcements in the Spring Statement 2025, the government have launched a further consultation seeking views on whether HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) powers are effective in dealing with non-compliance facilitated by some tax advisers. It will be of particular interest to tax advisers, their clients or potential clients and tax and accountancy professional … Continue reading Tackling tax advisers facilitating non-compliance
Dear PAYadvice.UK Yesterday [Wednesday 30th October 2024], the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, made her Autumn Budget speech and set out the government’s fiscal plans. This [communication] provides you with information on the key measures announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 that will be relevant to you as an agent. Tax related … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2024 – HMRC
A group who stole over £50 million of taxpayers’ money has been brought to justice in the largest ever benefit fraud case in England and Wales. Five people who stole £53.9 million through fabricated benefit claims have been brought to justice in England and Wales’ largest benefit fraud case Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) … Continue reading Fraudsters behind benefits scam brought to justice
HMRC are keen to hear views… about the 'Raising standards in the tax advice market: strengthening the regulatory framework and improving registration' consultation announced at Spring Budget 2024. The government is consulting on two new measures to raise standards in the tax advice market: strengthening the regulatory framework by exploring a proposal to require tax practitioners … Continue reading Consultation on raising standards in the tax advice market – this impacts Payroll service
HMRC have issued the August 2023 edition of the Employer Bulletin which brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. In this month’s edition there are important updates and information on: PAYE Tax relief on employee contributions to registered pension schemes Ceasing your PAYE scheme Correcting payroll mistakes for … Continue reading August 2023 Employer Bulletin
HMRC have issued the April 2023 edition of the Employer Bulletin which brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. In this month’s edition there are important updates and information on: PAYE (Pay As You Earn) Classification of company cars and vans for benefit in kind purposes Employer PAYE … Continue reading April 2023 Employer Bulletin
Taxpayers who have reclaimed tax payments using the repayment agent Tax Credits Ltd since December 2021 are being directly refunded by HMRC. HMRC found that up to 60,000 taxpayers who used the repayment agent Tax Credits Ltd signed up through a new online process. The company introduced the process in December 2021 and following an investigation, … Continue reading HMRC refunding Tax Credits Ltd clients
HMRC adds 68 estate agents to the list of named businesses not complying with money laundering regulations. Dozens of estate agents have been fined more than £500,000 for breaching anti-money laundering requirements, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced 11th October 2022. 68 estate agents have been fined a total of £519,645 for not complying … Continue reading HMRC cracks down on unlawful estate agents
HMRC uses new powers to publicly name the directors of tax avoidance promoting companies. Tax avoidance bosses have been named for the first time in the latest move to help protect the public. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has used new powers to publicly name directors of tax avoidance promoting companies, with customers being warned … Continue reading Directors of a tax avoidance promoters named for the first time
The government is keen to ensure that taxpayers pay the right amount of tax, and, where they are entitled to a refund, can access this easily. They are aware that some taxpayers face issues and feel misled when using agents that specialise in claiming tax refunds from HMRC. Repayment agents can provide a useful service … Continue reading Share your views about repayment agents
Countrywide Partners Limited has been named as a promoter of a tax avoidance scheme by HMRC. If you have been paid by them via this scheme where a part of your salary was in the form of a loan, please get in touch with HMRC now! Scheme users entered into an employment contract with Countrywide … Continue reading More tax avoidance schemes named
A new register being launched today will help root out corrupt elites using UK property to launder their illicit wealth. New register to flush out corrupt elites laundering money through UK property goes live todayoverseas entities that refuse to reveal the true owner of their property will face sale restrictions and could receive tough fines … Continue reading New register to crack down on dirty money and corrupt elites in UK goes live
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning tax payers not to share sensitive personal information online to avoid their identities being used to commit tax fraud. HMRC is aware that criminals are attempting to obtain customers’ Government Gateway logins and other personal details, enabling them to register for Income Tax Self Assessment and submit bogus tax … Continue reading Fraudsters seek to hijack personal tax accounts
More than £1 billion has been recovered from the proceeds of crime and tax offenders since the formation of a specialist HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud squad five years ago. Launched in April 2016, the department’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) has now recovered assets equivalent to funding around 20,000 NHS nurses for an entire … Continue reading HMRC fraud squad takes back £1 billion from offenders
The government is establishing an Economic Crime (Anti-Money Laundering) Levy. This new levy will first be charged on entities that are regulated during the financial year from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023, the amount payable determined their size based on UK revenue from periods of account ending that year. Amounts will be payable … Continue reading New Economic Crime (Anti-Money Laundering) Levy
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued new guidance to help agencies and employers reduce their risks of using umbrella employers who are operating tax avoidance schemes. Tax avoidance schemes Disguised remuneration schemes These schemes claim to prevent some payments being taxable. They describe taxable earnings paid for doing a job as something that is … Continue reading Reduce risk of using umbrellas who operate tax avoidance schemes
HM Treasury have published two consultations in relation to Anti-Money Laundering: 1. Changes to the Money Laundering Regulations 2. Reviewing the UK’s anti money laundering and terrorist financing regulatory and supervisory regime Both consultations are open for responses until 14th October 2021. More information on all of HMRC’s anti money laundering guidance for businesses can … Continue reading Money Laundering Consultations launched
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is concerned that some people who have used a tax refund company to get a PPI (payment protection insurance) or working from home tax refund are now discovering that unconnected tax refunds are also going to the refund company, with further fees being deducted. Deed of assignment! People … Continue reading Tax refund company complaints increase
Leicester payroll services boss banned for orchestrating multi-million pound tax avoidance scheme, while failing to justify £37 million expenditure in 11 months Scott Rooney, of Leicester, was appointed sole director of Magnetic Push Limited in February 2017. The company provided payroll services, trading from a serviced office in Liverpool, and was previously known as The … Continue reading Payroll boss in tax avoidance scheme 11-year ban
HMRC have issued guidance (13th May 2021) to both and help warn business to be aware of risks within Labour supply chains. Why assure the labour supply chain Failing to take reasonable action to make sure that the supply of labour is legitimate can lead to significant legal, financial and reputational risks, liability for unpaid … Continue reading Supply chain due diligence to assure labour supply chains
Dear Payadvice.U.K. Our consultation on 'Raising standards in the tax advice market' was published on 23rd March 2021. This is your chance to have your say. We need to understand the impact these proposals would have on taxpayers, businesses, the insurance industry and the wider tax advice market, so your views are really important to … Continue reading Consultation on ‘Raising standards in the tax advice market: professional indemnity insurance and defining tax advice’
Dear Payadvice, HMRC's Anti Money Laundering Supervision (AMLS) team is changing its name to Economic Crime Supervision (ECS) from 1 April 2021. This change does not affect our responsibilities under the Money Laundering Regulations or how we will interact with you. You may continue to see AMLS referenced in correspondence from us during April whilst the changes take effect. You … Continue reading HMRC Anti Money Laundering team change name to Economic Crime Supervision