January 2010 top articles

Changes to PAYE online filing

The 2009-10 Employer Annual Return, due by 19 May 2010, must now be filed online, and starter and leaver forms filed online from 6 April 2011. This includes employers with fewer than 50 employees.

New penalties for late payment of PAYE 

HMRC will be implementing the new penalties for late payment of PAYE (including Income Tax, NICs, Construction Industry Scheme deductions and student loan deductions) from tax year 2010-11.

Cross-border VAT changes 2010

From 1 January 2010 there will be major changes to the cross-border VAT rules. These changes affect where, how and when VAT is accounted for, completion of European Community Sales Lists (ESL) for goods and services, and the method of reclaiming VAT incurred in another EU country.

Increase in the standard VAT rate

 Detailed guidance is available about the return to the standard rate of 17.5 per cent of VAT on 1 January 2010.

Moving from paper to online VAT Returns and paying electronically  

From April 2010 you may have to submit your VAT Returns online and pay any VAT due electronically

Who has to switch to online VAT Returns?

From 1 April 2010 you will have to submit your VAT Returns online and pay any VAT due electronically if either of the following applies:

·                     you have an annual turnover of £100,000 or more (exclusive of VAT)

·                     you register or should have registered for VAT on or after 1 April 2010 (regardless of your turnover)

If you fall into either of the groups mentioned above, you will have to file all your VAT Returns online (including nil and repayment returns) even if your turnover drops below £100,000 in the future.