Tax Planning

IHT

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is stepping up its investigations into taxes potentially underpaid by the directors and senior executives of the UK's largest companies, warns Pinsent Masons, the international law firm.

George Osborne is considering a new tax raid on the pension contributions of richer voters, after rejecting the idea of a "wealth tax" based on higher council rates for luxury homes and apartments.

The country's rich face a further coalition tax raid 'in the next few weeks', according to business secretary Vince Cable.

The Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) and KPMG have launched a new VAT helpline, available free to all APFA members.

CHILD BENEFIT

Fidelity FundsNetwork has urged regulators and the Treasury to urgently clarify its rules on adviser charging.

UK residents with Swiss bank accounts are being warned that new landmark taxation arrangements are scheduled to come into force on 1 January next year.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has cut the interest rate on its Direct ISA by 0.25% per annum to reflect similar moves across the market.