Mark Morton explores recent draft legislation and HMRC’s evolving role in public service. He reflects on the frustrations of digital tax systems, delays in repayments, and the long-delayed rollout of Making Tax Digital, raising concerns about the effectiveness of transformation efforts and their impact on taxpayers.

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation for Finance Bill 2025-26 for consultation. In this brief episode, Mark Morton shares his immediate reaction. 

Much of the content was pre-announced, including:

• Inheritance Tax Overhaul – the government is proceeding with reforms to agricultural and business property reliefs, effective from April 2026, and bringing unused pension funds and death benefits into the scope of IHT from April 2027.
• Making Tax Digital (MTD) Evolves – the legislation aims to refine and simplify the MTD Income Tax and penalty reform regimes, including the deferral of implementation for specific groups and the pre-announced reduction in the qualifying income threshold to £20,000 from 2028/29 (based on returns for 2026/27).
• Tax Adviser Regulation - HMRC will mandate registration and minimum standards for tax advisers from April 2026, aiming to improve compliance and transparency.
• Carried Interest Recast – As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, qualifying carried interest will be taxed as trading income from 6 April 2026, aligning the tax treatment with other forms of remuneration.

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

Helen Knight and Norman Allison discuss some of the key points to consider around Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment. Following a recent lecture we take the opportunity to unpack some of the most frequently asked questions, clarify common misconceptions, and explore what these changes mean for taxpayers and particularly their advisors.

For a more in depth consideration of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax access the on demand recording of the lecture referred to in this podcast.

We have also written a Topical Issue to help you communicate the key changes and requirements to clients, here. 

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

Jenny Faulkner and Gemma Archer discuss common audit quality findings following the publication of ICAEW's latest audit monitoring report and reflect on issues identified in Mercia's own file reviews.

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In our latest episode, our in-house VAT expert, James Hurst, shares some brief thoughts on recent VAT cases that caught his eye.

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Mark Morton breaks down the government's abrupt reversal on winter fuel payments and the tangled tax mechanics that follow. From pensioners navigating deductions to the complexities of taxable income, he asks—does anyone in power truly understand self-assessment? A sharp, insightful take on yet another policy puzzle.

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

In this episode, Gemma Archer rounds up the key points from the publication of Charities SORP exposure draft and consultations relating to the financial thresholds in charity law.

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Helen Knight examines the implications of the upcoming changes to company size thresholds, effective April 2025, on off-payroll working and IR35 rules.

Gain a deeper understanding of IR35 with our IR35: The Definitive Guide course.

Stay ahead of key regulatory updates and keep your clients informed with insights from our latest newsletter. 

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

In the aftermath of the Spring Statement, a number of consultations have been released on the government website. 

Mark Morton delves into the Making Tax Digital Consultation and how this could potentially impact accountants over the next few years. 

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

In this short episode, join Mark Morton as he reflects on the Spring Statement delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (25 March 2025).

Don't forget there is still time to order your Spring Statement Summary to easily communicate the key announcements to your clients.

For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.