Tax News Daily
The latest tax news from around the world, summarised and tagged for tax professionals. Updated twice daily.
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Accredited official statistics: HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK
HMRC releases accredited official statistics on UK tax receipts and National Insurance contributions. These periodic statistical publications provide authoritative data on government revenue collected across all major UK taxes, including income tax, VAT, corporation tax, and NIC. The statistics serve as a key reference for policymakers, researchers, and tax professionals monitoring UK fiscal performance and trends. As accredited official statistics, they meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality, and public value set by the UK Statistics Authority.
Accredited official statistics: HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK
HMRC releases accredited official statistics on UK tax receipts and National Insurance contributions. These periodic statistical publications provide authoritative data on government revenue collected across all major UK taxes, including income tax, VAT, corporation tax, and NIC. The statistics serve as a key reference for policymakers, researchers, and tax professionals monitoring UK fiscal performance and trends. As accredited official statistics, they meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality, and public value set by the UK Statistics Authority.
Sweden: ViDA VAT amendments submitted to Parliament
Sweden has submitted VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) amendments to Parliament, aligning national legislation with the EU's ViDA package. The reforms aim to modernize VAT rules for the digital economy, including updates to platform economy taxation, single VAT registration, and digital reporting requirements. This legislative submission marks a significant step in Sweden's implementation of the EU-wide ViDA initiative, which seeks to reduce VAT fraud, streamline compliance, and harmonize VAT obligations across member states. The amendments will affect businesses operating in Sweden, particularly those in the platform and digital sectors.
US_Illinois Sales Tax: Remote Retailer Tax Amnesty Program 2026
Illinois is introducing a Remote Retailer Tax Amnesty Program in 2026, targeting out-of-state sellers with sales tax obligations in the state. The program offers remote retailers an opportunity to come into compliance with Illinois sales tax requirements without facing penalties or back-tax liabilities from prior periods. This initiative follows Illinois' economic nexus rules established after the South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, which extended sales tax collection obligations to remote sellers meeting certain thresholds. The amnesty program provides a limited window for non-compliant remote retailers to voluntarily register, file, and remit outstanding sales tax obligations.
U.S. Residential Solar Installations Set to Stall for Years After Tax Credit Sunset
U.S. residential solar installations face a significant slowdown following the sunset of the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The expiration of this personal tax credit, which has driven adoption of rooftop solar by making installations financially viable for homeowners, is projected to stall the residential solar market for several years. The loss of the credit removes a key economic incentive, potentially dampening consumer demand and affecting the broader clean energy transition. Industry stakeholders are warning of prolonged market suppression until alternative incentives or market conditions compensate for the credit's removal.
VAT Exemption Thresholds in Europe, 2026
This article from the Tax Foundation examines VAT registration exemption thresholds across European countries for 2026. It provides a comparative overview of the turnover levels at which businesses become liable to register for VAT in different European jurisdictions. Such thresholds are a key policy tool affecting small business compliance burdens and competitive neutrality across the EU. The data highlights significant variation between member states and non-EU European countries, offering insight into how governments balance revenue collection with reducing administrative costs for smaller enterprises operating below the registration threshold.
10 Practical Ways Practices Are Using AI Today (No Tech Skills Required)
This article explores ten practical applications of AI that accounting and tax practices are adopting today, requiring no advanced technical skills. Use cases include automating client communication, drafting tax memos, reviewing documents, summarizing financial statements, and streamlining compliance workflows. The piece highlights how AI tools are reducing manual effort in tax preparation and advisory services, enabling practitioners to focus on higher-value work. It targets CPAs and tax professionals seeking accessible entry points into AI adoption without needing coding or IT expertise, reflecting broader trends in tax technology transformation across professional services firms.
Proposed New IRS Reporting Requirements for Nonprofit Hospitals
The IRS has proposed new reporting requirements for nonprofit hospitals, which must demonstrate community benefit to maintain tax-exempt status. The proposed rules would expand Schedule H disclosures on Form 990, requiring more detailed reporting on financial assistance policies, billing practices, and community benefit expenditures. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability for hospitals that receive significant tax exemptions. Organizations should review their current reporting practices and prepare for potentially more rigorous documentation standards. The proposals reflect growing congressional and regulatory scrutiny of whether nonprofit hospitals adequately justify their tax-exempt status through community benefit activities.
TIGTA: IRS reassigned staff after layoffs for filing season
A Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report found that the IRS reassigned existing staff to cover filing season operations following significant workforce layoffs. The reassignments were necessary to maintain core taxpayer services and processing functions during the critical filing period. The report highlights operational disruptions caused by staffing reductions, raising concerns about the IRS's capacity to handle taxpayer workloads, enforce compliance, and deliver timely refunds. TIGTA's findings underscore broader questions about the impact of federal workforce cuts on tax administration efficiency and service levels for American taxpayers during one of the busiest periods of the tax calendar.
Social Security Has Slashed 14% of Its Workforce Since Early 2025, Analysis Shows
An analysis reveals the Social Security Administration has cut approximately 14% of its workforce since early 2025, representing significant staffing reductions at the federal agency. For tax professionals and payroll practitioners, this has direct implications for Social Security benefit processing, W-2 reconciliation, and employer payroll tax administration. Reduced staffing may lead to delays in resolving discrepancies in Social Security earnings records, slower processing of employer correction forms, and longer wait times for resolving payroll tax-related identity and wage issues affecting both employers and employees.
Enquiry Manual
HMRC's Enquiry Manual provides comprehensive guidance for tax professionals on how HMRC conducts enquiries into tax returns and taxpayer affairs. The manual covers the legal framework governing HMRC's investigation powers, procedural requirements, and the rights and obligations of both HMRC officers and taxpayers during enquiry processes. It addresses opening enquiries, information and inspection powers, penalties, settlements, and appeals. This resource is essential for practitioners advising clients under HMRC investigation, offering detailed insight into HMRC's internal approach to compliance checks across various tax regimes including income tax, corporation tax, and VAT.
Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method
HMRC provides guidance to help taxpayers verify the authenticity of official communications that use multiple contact methods, such as letters followed by phone calls or emails. As part of efforts to combat tax-related fraud and phishing, HMRC maintains a published list of genuine contact campaigns and check services. Taxpayers can cross-reference received communications against this list to confirm legitimacy. This guidance is relevant to tax compliance and anti-fraud measures, helping individuals and businesses avoid scams impersonating HMRC for tax collection or refund purposes.
The Voluntary Disclosures Program: Your second chance to set things right
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) highlights its Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP), which allows taxpayers to come forward and correct previously inaccurate or incomplete tax information without facing penalties or prosecution. The program covers a range of tax obligations including income tax, GST/HST, payroll deductions, and information returns. To qualify, disclosures must be voluntary, complete, involve a potential penalty, and relate to information at least one year overdue. Two tracks exist: the General Program and the Limited Program for intentional non-compliance. Taxpayers must pay estimated taxes owed when applying. The VDP offers relief from penalties and potential prosecution, giving non-compliant taxpayers a structured pathway to regularize their tax affairs.
Trump Calls Ex-Judges' Bid To Reopen IRS Case 'Baseless'
Former judges are seeking to reopen an IRS-related case, a bid that the Trump administration has characterized as baseless. The dispute involves a tax controversy before the IRS, with the ex-judges attempting to intervene or revive proceedings that had previously been closed. The Trump administration is contesting this effort, arguing there is no legal basis for reopening the matter. The case highlights ongoing litigation surrounding IRS enforcement actions and the procedural avenues available to challenge or revisit concluded tax disputes, underscoring broader tensions in tax controversy and enforcement at the federal level.
Submit evidence to support your Child Benefit application
HMRC provides guidance for claimants needing to submit supporting evidence when applying for Child Benefit in the UK. The guidance outlines acceptable documentation to verify eligibility, such as proof of the child's birth, adoption, or residency status. Child Benefit is a government payment for individuals responsible for raising a child, and its administration falls under HMRC's remit. While technically a benefit payment, it intersects with the tax system through the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which claws back payments for higher earners. Tax professionals advising individuals or families should be aware of the evidence requirements to ensure smooth claims processing.
Double Taxation Relief Manual
HMRC's Double Taxation Relief Manual provides comprehensive guidance for tax professionals on the UK's framework for relieving double taxation. It covers the mechanisms by which individuals and companies resident in the UK can obtain relief on foreign income and gains taxed both abroad and in the UK. The manual addresses unilateral relief provisions, bilateral tax treaty applications, credit relief calculations, exemption methods, and the interaction between domestic legislation and international agreements. It serves as an authoritative reference for practitioners navigating cross-border taxation issues, treaty interpretation, and the practical application of double tax conventions to which the UK is a signatory.
Check if a text message you've received from HMRC is genuine
HMRC provides guidance to help UK taxpayers verify whether text messages purportedly from HMRC are genuine. The page lists current and recent legitimate HMRC SMS campaigns, including those related to tax returns, payments, and refunds, enabling recipients to distinguish official communications from phishing scams. As HMRC increasingly uses digital channels for tax compliance outreach, fraudulent impersonation has risen. This guidance supports taxpayer protection within the UK tax administration framework, directly relevant to personal tax compliance and HMRC enforcement communications.
German VAT Grouping Reform: Shift to an Opt‑In System
Germany is reforming its VAT grouping (Organschaft) rules by transitioning from the current automatic system to an opt-in model. Under the existing framework, VAT grouping arises automatically when specific financial, economic, and organisational integration criteria are met, creating compliance complexity and uncertainty. The proposed opt-in system would allow businesses to actively elect VAT group status, providing greater clarity and administrative control. This reform aligns Germany more closely with the optional approach permitted under EU VAT Directive Article 11. The change has significant implications for large corporate groups, intercompany transactions, and input tax recovery positions. Tax professionals should assess existing group structures to evaluate the impact of the transition.
Pay Plastic Packaging Tax
This UK government guidance article provides instructions for businesses on how to pay the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), a UK levy introduced in April 2022 targeting manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. The guidance covers payment methods, deadlines, and administrative procedures for compliance. PPT is charged at £217.85 per metric tonne (from April 2024) on qualifying plastic packaging components. Tax professionals advising clients in manufacturing, retail, or import sectors should ensure clients are registered, filing quarterly returns, and meeting payment obligations to HMRC to avoid interest and penalties.
How domestic properties are assessed for Council Tax bands
UK government guidance explains how domestic properties are assessed and placed into Council Tax bands in England. The Valuation Office Agency assigns bands based on estimated property values as of April 1991, with bands ranging from A to H. The guidance covers the assessment methodology, how new builds and altered properties are valued, and the process for challenging a band. Council Tax is a local property-based tax in England, Wales, and Scotland, making this directly relevant to personal tax obligations for UK residential property owners and occupiers.
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