BRave Business and The Tax Factor

This special summer edition of The Tax Factor sees CEO Nimesh Shah joined by Heather Self to analyse one of the most discussed and often misunderstood issues in UK tax policy: the tax gap. Together, they explore what the tax gap actually measures, why it matters, and what the latest HMRC figures reveal about the health of the UK tax system. The discussion challenges some common assumptions, includ...

In the final episode of Season 3, CEO Nimesh Shah and Heather Powell take a look at some of the tax stories making headlines, including Andy Burnham's proposals for a land value tax and inheritance tax reform, and the latest developments surrounding Rachel Reeves' ISA plans. They discuss the practical implications that these policies could have for property owners, investors and taxpayers, while a...

In this week’s episode of The Tax Factor, Neil Insull and Tom Goddard explore some of the major tax and political developments currently shaping the UK landscape. From Labour leadership contenders and proposed wealth taxes to major changes affecting businesses and pensions, the discussion highlights how quickly the tax environment continues to evolve. The episode examines Andy Burnham and We...

Debutants David Livitt and Joe Lankester join us for the latest episode of The Tax Factor, exploring a mix of global policy updates, unusual living arrangements and a standout VAT tribunal case. The episode begins with new OECD guidance on global remote working, looking at how businesses can manage the tax risks of employees working across borders and why permanent establishment remains a key conc...

Football, tax tribunals and residency rules all come under the spotlight in this week’s episode of The Tax Factor, as Paul Noble and Robert Salter discuss some of the latest stories making headlines across the tax world. The episode begins with the high-profile PGMOL case against HMRC, exploring why part-time football referees were ultimately found to be self-employed and what the decision c...

This week on The Tax Factor, John Bull and Sean Drury focus on the Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime, one of the most significant recent changes to the UK tax landscape for internationally mobile individuals. They begin by outlining how the regime works in practice, who it applies to, and how it differs from the previous remittance basis. The episode explores the practical implications for tax...

This week on The Tax Factor, Stefanie Tremain and Paul Haywood-Schiefer begin with a roundup of the top tax stories making headlines, before turning to a case involving an MP’s tax affairs. Paul looks at how Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) rules operate in practice and highlights the importance of correctly reporting and taxing distributions. Stefanie then revisits the government’s...

This week on The Tax Factor, Suzanne Briggs and Heather Powell begin with a roundup of the top tax stories making headlines before moving into a discussion of several key property tax cases. These include a VAT dispute involving a nursery development and an SDLT case considering whether a property with extensive grounds could qualify for mixed-use treatment. The episode also looks at a main reside...

This week on The Tax Factor, CEO Nimesh Shah and Director Robert Salter mark the start of the new tax year with a look at the key headlines shaping the landscape. They share practical reflections and resolutions for taxpayers, businesses and advisers, setting the tone for the year ahead. Nimesh and Robert then revisit the VAT case involving marshmallows, unpacking the technical arguments and what...

This week on The Tax Factor, Stefanie Tremain and Tomm Adams cover the key tax stories making headlines. Pensions expert Tomm begins by looking at the proposed £2,000 cap for salary sacrifice pensions, discussing the potential impact on savers, employers, and long-term retirement planning. The episode then turns to the proposed tourism tax in Liverpool, with Stefanie explaining why it’...

This week on The Tax Factor, John Bull and Annie Hughes discuss a wide range of tax developments, starting with HMRC’s Tax Confident campaign. They explore what the initiative is designed to achieve and how it fits into HMRC’s broader strategy around compliance, engagement and taxpayer behaviour. The episode also revisits the Tom Goldstein case, following the recent jury verdict in a s...

This week on The Tax Factor, Paul Haywood-Schiefer and Tom Goddard begin with a roundup of the Top 3 tax stories making headlines, before turning their attention to the key developments shaping the tax landscape this week. Attention turned to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, where Tom outlines the key takeaways from what ultimately proved to be more of a financial update than a platform fo...

This week on The Tax Factor, Paul Noble and Sarah Stenton kick things off with a roundup of the Top 3 tax stories making headlines, setting the scene for a discussion of some of the most talked-about developments in tax this week. Paul and Sarah begin with discussing Income Tax exemptions for major sporting events, including the Winter Olympics and the forthcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games,...

This week on The Tax Factor, Malli Kini and Neil Insull begin with a roundup of the Top 3 tax stories making headlines, setting the scene for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode. They then turn to the Mark Glen vs HMRC case, examining the tax treatment of female hair loss businesses and the broader implications for medical expense claims. The discussion also covers the Miss Odina financia...

In part two of our Making Tax Digital mini-series, Heather Self is joined by Jonathan Athow, Director General, Customer Strategy and Tax Design at HMRC, for a special Q&A episode. This conversation offers listeners the opportunity to hear directly from HMRC on one of the most significant changes to the UK tax system in recent years. In an insightful and practical discussion, Jonathan answers t...

This week on The Tax Factor, Stephanie Levin makes her first appearance alongside Suzanne Briggs to kick off the Making Tax Digital (MTD) mini-series. They start with a roundup of the top tax headlines, including the story of the UK’s top taxpayers, which includes some of the biggest celebrities… The discussion then turns to Making Tax Digital, with Stephanie and Suzanne breaking down...

This week on The Tax Factor, Robert Salter and Sarah Stenton begin with a roundup of the Top 3 tax stories making headlines which includes a key government U-turn… Sarah and Robert begin by sharing timely insights on Self-Assessment tax returns, including HMRC receiving a big pay day, common pitfalls and practical tips as deadlines approach. Robert then provides insight into Advanced Tax Ce...

This week on The Tax Factor, Heather Powell and John Bull kick things off with a roundup of the top 3 tax stories making headlines. They provide clear, practical commentary on the most important developments in the tax world this week. They then turn to the Elden vs HMRC case, looking at why AI is back in the spotlight and what the ruling could mean for future tax compliance, dispute resolution, a...

The Tax Factor returns for its first episode of 2026, with Paul Noble and Neil Insull kicking off the year by discussing some of the most significant tax developments already shaping the months ahead. They begin with the recent Inheritance Tax U-turn on Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR), explaining what’s changed and why it matters for long-term planning....

This week’s Tax Factor is a festive special, with Ele Theochari and Neil Insull bringing seasonal cheer and tax insight to the podcast. They first look at the Morrisons VAT case involving chickens, unwrapping what the decision means for retailers and why food VAT remains a tricky item on HMRC’s Christmas menu. Next, Ele and Neil turn to advanced clearance schemes, explaining how they w...

This week on The Tax Factor, Robert Salter and Suzanne Briggs dive into one of the UK’s most famous VAT debates: the long-running question of whether Jaffa Cakes are truly cakes or biscuits. They go over the case, the reasoning behind the ruling, and why this seemingly light-hearted issue still has serious tax implications today. They also discuss the blockbuster news that Deadpool & Wol...

This week, Michael Holland and Annie Hughes take listeners across the Atlantic, discussing the top tax stories making headlines before diving into a US-focused episode. They look at Biffy Clyro’s recent tour changes and the tax considerations behind the scenes. Michael and Annie also break down the IRS’s new rules on digital asset reporting, highlighting what individuals and busin...

Heather Self and Heather Powell look at the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget statement. There doesn’t appear to be an awful lot of good news and tax changes that raise as many questions as they answer for entrepreneurs, property owners, businesses and individuals alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Gabby Donald and Stefanie Tremain look at what we genuinely know so far!? After what feels like the longest build-up in years, Stephanie puts it simply: “Expect everything, expect nothing.” Just when it seemed the Budget couldn’t bring any more gloom, another idea surfaces: the  Milkshake Tax . With retail already wrestling with complexity, do we really need anothe...

This week Tom Goddard and Paul Haywood-Schiefer look at the Government’s possible attempts at fiscal choreography with the potential Income Tax and NICs see-saw. One goes up, one goes down… but as they explain, that doesn’t always mean a neutral outcome for taxpayers. They then discuss what a cap on salary-sacrifice pension contributions would mean: a measure that could be highl...