Charities gift aid
From 2008/09 to 2010/11, charities will be able to claim a 2% transitional relief for gift aid donations. The effect will be to maintain the payment made to them at 22% of the gross gift, despite the reduction in basic rate tax to 20%.
 |
Don’t Forget
Review your will. Your will could still be used to save significant amounts of inheritance tax. Think about putting in place Lasting Powers of Attorney; it could save a lot of heartache. |
Waivers of interest and surcharges – national disasters
HMRC will be able to waive interest and surcharges on taxes in the context of events designated as national disasters. The first to benefit will be taxpayers who were unable to pay taxes on time as a result of the severe floods of June and July 2007.
Tribunal reform – appeals
The government will have the power to make changes under secondary legislation to the operation of appeals against HMRC decisions. The secondary legislation is planned to take effect from April 2009 alongside other tribunal reforms.
Customs powers
Customs officers will have the power to open and unpack containers. At present, they have to require the proprietor of the goods to do this. The legislation will also make clear that HMRC’s powers of examination extend to searching containers and baggage. The changes will take effect from Royal Assent.
Single-use carrier bags
The government has called on retailers to take voluntary action to encourage the move away from single-use carrier bags. The Climate Change Bill will legislate so that, if there is not enough progress on a voluntary basis by the end of the year, the government can exercise powers early in 2009 to impose a charge on these bags.
|
