Nichola Ross Martin's Tax Consultancy

HMRC has been updating its company tax manuals in relation to close company loans to participators.

An accountant and his accomplices have just been jailed for VAT fraud. Confiscation orders have been made against his assets. It all begs the question; why does HMRC need more powers to use against agents?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement on 10 March that Budget 2010 will take place on Wednesday 24 March at 12:30pm.

From 1 April HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is permitted to publish the details of taxpayers where it is established that they have committed certain serious tax offences. It already has powers to do this in connection with Tax Agents.

Permanent Secretary, Dave Hartnett has confirmed HMRC's intention to roll out further tax disclosure facilities in the future in order to target "sensibly defined groups", as identified by its risk analysis.