Hello,

There are several important updates this week, despite the world of tax having been slightly quieter. As we previously reported, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will soon be required for all HMRC agent accounts, including the Agent Services Account and Online Services Account. Individuals and organisations who access HMRC services are already subject to MFA.

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To support the hospitality sector and help families with the cost of living, the Chancellor has launched the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme, which sees a temporary cut in the rate of VAT from 20% to 5% for children’s meals in restaurants, children’s cinema, theatre, show and concert tickets, and admission to other attractions suitable for families with children such as soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks.

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HMRC’s mandatory registration of tax advisers has now begun. Agents who interact with HMRC about someone else’s tax affairs have three months from their ‘start date’ to register. The first start date of 18 May applies to advisers interacting with HMRC without an Agent Services Account, Self Assessment or Corporation Tax account, as well as new advisers.

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Among this week's highlights are more warnings about relying on unverified Artificial Intelligence (AI) output, the latest employment status tribunal decision, HMRC’s view on the VAT liability of public electric vehicle charge points and the First Tier Tribunal's (FTT) interpretation of the Statutory Residence Test.

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Close company directors within Self Assessment have additional reporting obligations in their 2025-26 tax returns. We have expanded our commentary on the new requirements in our 'Self Assessment Return 2025/26: What's new?' guide this week, including how percentage shareholdings should be calculated. Do take a look, as the rules might not be as expected.