Taxing Matters

To celebrate International Women's Day 2024, we have produced a special episode of RPC's Taxing Matters podcast in which we discuss this year's campaign theme #InspireInclusion and what it means to each of our guest speakers.   RPC's Taxing Matters host and Senior Associate in RPC's Tax Disputes team, Alexis Armitage is joined by three inspirational female leaders working in tax:   Tasne...

In this episode, RPC's Taxing Matters Host and Senior Associate in RPC's Tax Disputes team, Alexis Armitage , will be discussing the taxation of international sports and rock stars with leading silk, Patrick Way KC .   Patrick is one of the founders of Field Court Tax Chambers. He has successfully represented clients at all levels of the UK court system and has acted for both taxpayers and HM...

In this episode we discuss the hot topic of artificial intelligence. We will consider what is AI, what is a large language model and how does it work, what can AI do and not do at the moment as well as some of the potential effects AI might have in the tax world. We also take a look at the recent Tax Tribunal decision in Harber v HMRC [2023] UKFTT 1007 (TC), in which false case law was generated b...

As the cost of living crisis bites more than ever this year, in this special Christmas episode of RPC's Taxing Matters, we bring you some Christmas cheer by way of a light-hearted discussion of some of the potential ways you may be able to reduce your tax bill. In addition, we'll also have a quick look at Santa's tax position in the run up to Christmas and whether he might be guilty of tax avoidan...

In this episode of Taxing Matters, we are joined by Jeremy Johnson , managing director of inTAX Limited .  Jeremy helps clients to manage and resolve HMRC enquiries, and disclosures. Prior to joining inTAX six years ago, Jeremy worked in the tax disputes and investigations team at PwC and Grant Thornton, and before that was an inspector of taxes at HMRC.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

In this episode of Taxing Matters, we discuss the hot topic of financial health, wellbeing and confidence. We are currently experiencing a challenging economic climate and any guidance on this important topic is very welcome.   To talk us through this subject and provide some practical guidance we are delighted to be joined by Ruth Handock , who is the CEO of Octopus Money , and Ali Poulton ,...

In this episode of Taxing Matters, we are handing over the podcast baton and introducing our new host Alexis Armitage , who is a Senior Associate in RPC's Tax Disputes Team. We couldn’t think of any better way to say our final goodbyes to the fabulous Alice other than by putting her in the hot seat to discuss the topic of the moment, sanctions.   Alice  is an employed barrister at RPC wh...

One of the things that becomes clear over the course of one's career is that enforcement trends are important for businesses to be aware of. It is important to notice, not just the macro trends like sanctions compliance and fraud enforcement, but also smaller trends; campaigns against particular tax risks and the relegation of certain information gathering powers to relative obscurity.   In t...

Have you ever wondered about the language we use when we talk about tax? And does that language influence or betray how we feel about tax as individuals or as a society? It turns out it is a hot topic of discussion.   In this episode of Taxing Matters, we are delighted to be joined by Kirstie Skates , founder of “ Illume Linguistics ”. Illume Linguistics are a team of linguistics experts...

As questions of economic resource allocation push to the forefront of the national consciousness there has been a rise in the number of people calling for either new taxes or wholesale tax reform. This has been mirrored by the increase in lobby groups such as Patriotic Millionaires UK a lobby group of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals who feel that they should be doing more. Ther...

We all know the benefits which networking and creating a supportive space in which to learn and ask questions can bring to our individual practices. Today we want to highlight one of the award-winning networks which is helping to develop networking opportunities within tax together with the benefits it can bring as highlighted by two of its amazing committee members.   In this episode of Taxi...

For international women's day we have produced a special episode of our Taxing Matters podcast, in which we discuss macro trends in ESG and gender diversity at work, the meso-level changes within organisations and the micro changes on a personal level talking through trends in ESG. Did we lose momentum during Covid? Do we still have the emphasis in the right places? And what can each of us do to s...

Whilst different tax systems try to reach similar outcomes, they often achieve that via different routes and by applying different methodologies, but what do you need to bear in mind when considering UK and US cross-border matters?   In this episode of Taxing Matters, we are joined by Alex Jones and Graeme Privett , who share their insights and views on how the US and UK are less similar...

Taking the witness stand can be challenging and nerve-wracking; more persuasive evidence is likely to be given when a witness has properly prepared for the occasion.   In this episode of Taxing Matters, we demystify witness familiarisation and what is permitted by the tax tribunals and the courts with Dr Penny Cooper. Dr Penny Cooper is a barrister who provides a specialist witness familiaris...

In this episode of Taxing Matters, we discuss the role of R&D tax relief, how to qualify for the relief, how to stay compliant, some common abuses of the system and some of the recently proposed reforms.   We are joined by Sarah Scala , Head of Tax Dispute Resolution, and Caroline Walton , Head of Innovation Relief, at Claritas Tax.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

What should you do if your crypto is stolen?   If you've invested in cryptocurrency your investment can be an increasing target for fraud, and it can be difficult to recover funds when this happens.   In this episode of Taxing Matters, we discuss practical steps to take if your crypto has been stolen, recent crypto fraud case studies, search and seizure orders and enforcement for crypto...

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of an investigation?  In this episode of Taxing Matters, we discuss the role of the investigator in asset tracing, how they support clients and add value, and some common misconceptions about the traditional image of investigators, with Phoebe Waters.   Phoebe is an asset tracing specialist and Chair of the Female Fraud Forum. She is...

The tax gap refers to the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. To help narrow this gap, HMRC has been granted a number of powers over the years, including those aimed at tackling tax avoidance. The Finance Act 2022 provided HMRC with additional powers to enable it to proactively clamp down on promoters of tax avoidance scheme...

In March 2022, the Economic Crime Transparency and Enforcement Act came into force after it was fast-tracked through Parliament in response to urgent calls for the UK's economic crime laws to be tightened.  The new legislation introduces further sanctions powers and aims to tackle financial crime by revealing the identities of overseas beneficial owners of UK property. We asked Tom Godfrey wh...

In previous episodes we have discussed the myriad of ways HMRC collects information on individuals and businesses. Whether through international agreements, information provided on a voluntary basis, as a consequence of a legal duty to report, or through its information gathering powers, the Revenue holds an abundance of information relating to taxpayers.  In this episode, we discuss the impo...

In a much-anticipated podcast we revisit the multi-billion tax trading scandal known as Cum-Ex, and  consider recent developments and discuss why this rapidly expanding cross-border tax fraud remains of interest 5 years after it was first exposed. With so many twists and turns since Bloomberg journalist Donal Griffin first covered the Cum-Ex fraud on Taxing Matters episode 12 back in December...

In a follow up to the episode Blockchain: Revolutionary technology… or the perfect opportunity for fraudsters , we are delighted to be joined by Michael Goodwin QC to delve deeper into the legal landscape of crypto fraud. Michael, a highly regarded Silk at Red Lion Chambers, is an eminent white collar crime practitioner described by Legal 500 as a “serious heavy-hitter in criminal fraud". While cr...

In the first Taxing Matters episode of 2022, we are delighted to be joined by special guest Margaret Mousley, Deputy Director at HMRC. While Margaret now heads up HMRC’s Mid-Sized Business division, her career has spanned over 18 years across key compliance roles within the Revenue. With the vast array of potential risks and tax pitfalls now facing mid-sized businesses (MSBs), Margaret discusses h...

Warren Buffet once quipped, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and only 5 minutes to ruin it". The potential impact of reputational damage can be significant during litigation, or a commercial dispute. Understanding when to react and how to respond, can make all the difference. From media strategies to risk mapping, Stuart Leach joins us on this episode to explore how you can best protect yo...

In recent times it seems that the word crypto, and the underlying blockchain technology associated with it, is on everyone’s lips. From Elon Musk's effect on the price of Bitcoin to non-fungible tokens in the art world, the debate rages over whether blockchain will revolutionise the world or lead to the dismantling of the existing order. Many critics have focused on the potential opportunities it...