HMRC has issued a warning to be on high alert for scams linked to Winter Fuel Payments after receiving 15,100 reports of bogus activity in June.

Fraudsters have been targeting vulnerable individuals using SMS messages and phishing websites. During June, HMRC took action to remove 4,600 fake websites linked to Winter Fuel Payments.

HMRC is urging individuals to be alert to suspicious communications and to report any suspect phone calls, emails or texts via GOV.UK. HMRC will never contact people by text to claim Winter Fuel Payments or request personal information.

Anyone who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will receive the payments automatically without having to make a claim. Any recovery of the payment for pensioners whose total income is over £35,000 will be collected via Pay As You Earn (PAYE) or self assessment, dependent on how the individual pays tax on their income.

Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said:

‘Don’t be fooled by these attempts by scammers to take your money or access your personal information.

‘Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. If a phone call, text or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links.

‘I’m urging people to be alert to scams relating to Winter Fuel Payments and to report any suspicious texts, phone calls or emails to HMRC.’

Internet link: HMRC

Self-employed taxpayers and landlords should file their 2024/25 tax return early to find out if Making Tax Digital (MTD) will apply to them from next April, says the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Taxpayers who report more than £50,000 of gross income from self-employment and/or rental income in their 2024/25 tax return will be required to join the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax regime from April 2026 and must have the software needed to participate.

LITRG is encouraging anyone who thinks they could be in scope of MTD from April 2026 to complete their 2024/25 tax return well in advance of the 31 January 2026 deadline to see whether their income exceeds this limit.

HMRC will use the information provided in 2024/25 self assessment tax returns to identify taxpayers who will be impacted by MTD from April 2026.

HMRC will then write to tell them they must follow the MTD rules, but this could be as late as February or March 2026.

Some people who meet the income threshold might be able to apply for an exemption from MTD if they meet certain criteria, for example if they are digitally excluded.

Sharron West, Technical Officer at LITRG, said: ‘There are still more than six months to go until the self assessment deadline for 2024/25 tax returns, but if you think you may meet the MTD threshold, you should act now.’

Internet link: Chartered Institute of Taxation

HMRC plans to introduce a tax avoidance criminal offence risks overreach, the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has warned.

HMRC plans to create a new strict liability criminal offence for failing to disclose notifiable arrangements under the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) regime without a reasonable excuse.

The CIOT argues that DOTAS is much too wide in its current formulation to be suitable for a criminal offence. Applying the proposed offence to all the DOTAS hallmarks seems excessive, it adds.

This is especially true, since the proposal is intended to be a response to specific issues with disguised remuneration mass-marketed tax avoidance schemes, the CIOT warns.

John Barnett, CIOT’s Vice President, said:

‘The government is right to be taking a robust approach to those who continue to devise, promote or sell mass-marketed tax avoidance schemes. There should be no place for such people and their schemes in the tax services market.

‘However, every proposal to increase HMRC’s powers like this needs to be tested against a hypothetical test of what would happen if an HMRC officer decides to use or target the legislation inappropriately.

‘The present proposal places too high a level of reliance on HMRC’s unpublished (and as such, not transparent) internal governance process to provide appropriate, independent safeguards and work effectively, so that such an outcome could never happen in practice.

‘It is essential for building and maintaining trust in the tax system that the way HMRC use their powers and operate safeguards can be effectively monitored and subjected to appropriate oversight.’

Internet link: CIOT

Inheritance Tax (IHT) on pensions is the most unpopular of the tax raising measures introduced by the Labour government during its first year, according to a survey.

The survey conducted by investment platform AJ Bell found that 44% of respondents were opposed to the pension IHT proposals while only 21% supported them.

Other measures were also strongly opposed, including the decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), with 41% against the tax rise and just 24% in support. Raising rates of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and restricting IHT relief available to farmers were also unpopular.

However, some tax raising policies attracted net support with 48% in favour of raising the rates of stamp duty on second homes.

Tom Selby, AJ Bell’s Director of Public Policy, said:

‘This data shows tax rises of every shade are divisive. While some tax increases attract a balance of support, they still divide the room.

‘Nothing that emerged from Rachel Reeves’ red box over the last year enjoys support from a majority of voters, illustrating that even less controversial tax changes are still politically fraught.

‘IHT is often described as the most hated tax and this data backs that up. Proposals to subject unused pensions funds to IHT on death are the most widely opposed of all the tax raising measures announced so far.

‘We’re urging the chancellor to instead consider alternative proposals which would be fairer and simpler, without undermining her plan to tax unused pensions on death.’

Internet link: AJ Bell

HMRC is warning those earning extra income through a side hustle to check if they need to register for self assessment and file a tax return.

Side hustles can be any additional income stream, from online selling to content creation, from dog walking to property rental. It also includes gains or income received from cryptoassets.

Anyone who earns over the £1,000 threshold may need to register for self assessment and complete a tax return.

There is a checker tool on GOV.UK for those who aren’t sure if they meet the criteria. If they do and are new to self assessment they will need to register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference.

Guides for side hustlers can also be found at taxhelpforhustles.campaign.gov.uk.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

‘Whether you are selling handmade crafts online, creating digital content, or renting out property, understanding your tax obligations is essential. If you earn more than £1,000 from these activities, you may need to complete a self assessment tax return.

‘Filing early puts you in control – you will know exactly what you owe, can plan your payments, and avoid the stress of the January rush. You don’t need to pay immediately when you file – you have until 31 January to settle your tax bill.’

Internet link: HMRC