HMRC’s New Logo & other UK Tax News

The Tax Office has announced it will sport a new look from now on with the unveiling of a new logo, which was announced on HMRC’s official Twitter page on 19th July.

The redesign is part of HMRC’s digital strategy and the move to online governmental portal GOV.UK.

HMRC will no longer use the aqua logo, but a simplified version that the Cabinet Office has introduced as a single identity for all government organisations, which they claim will make it easier for the public to recognise departments.

The logo was created in-house at allegedly no cost as the old logo was unsuitable for the GOV.UK website and so was required to be changed. HMRC have said it would keep costs to a minimum by using up all publications and stationary with the old logo on before printing anything new.

I’m all for saving costs on bureaucracy, but isn’t there a danger that the new logo will be easier for scammers to copy? In my Blog Scam Awareness on 15 May of this year, I highlighted this very problem, so we will just have to wait and see.

So, what else is new at the Revenue:-

• New telephone numbers – These are being introduced for Construction Industry Scheme, SA Orderline and Payment Enquiry Lines on 23 and 24 July 2013. For most people the new numbers will reduce the cost of calling these helplines and you can check the exact cost by asking your telephone service provider.

• New Inheritance Tax guidance – Following the Finance Bill 2013 receiving Royal Assent on 17 July 2013 HMRC Trusts & Estates has published guidance on changes to the rules on Inheritance Tax. The detailed changes can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/iht-finance-act.htm
• New quicker response link  – Any of you who claim tax credits of any kind will have often been frustrated by not knowing how your claim is progressing; well HMRC have now introduced a “Where’s my reply” link,  on their website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tools/progress-tool/index.htm
•  Simplifying National Insurance for the self-employed – Anyone who is self-employed (including me I might add) cannot understand why people who are employees only pay one rate, Class 1, via the PAYE system, but the massed ranks of the self-employed pay two rates; Class 4 as a percentage of Net Profit and Class 2 at £2.70 per week by DDM. It is a hangover from the old days of the “Weekly Stamp”, and not only is it an anomaly, no-one knows when they are likely to have it taken from their bank account, which can be monthly, quarterly or some other arbitrary period.

The good news is that HMRC are currently undertaking a consultation exercise, with a view to collecting Class 2 NIC through Self Assessment, alongside Income Tax and Class 4 NIC and introduce the change from 6th April 2014. At last some belated common sense from the Revenue, it’s a no-brainer that this will be simpler and reduce the administrative burden on the self-employed community as well as saving the government significant admin costs.

As and when any more interesting news emerges from the Revenue, rest assured, you’ll hear it here first

David Jones is the Senior Partner and Founder of Morgan Jones & Company. Born in Liverpool and a graduate of Liverpool Collegiate Grammar School, David spent twenty years working for the Customs & Excise in London then Shrewsbury before starting his own business. David’s depth of knowledge of the UK tax system and his ability to communicate this learning has seen Morgan Jones & Company grow into Shropshire’s most respected Accountancy Practice. Email David