The 21 October 2026 edition of ICAEW’s Tax News in Brief summarises key developments for the week ending 21 October. Highlights include the launch of a new HMRC service status webpage providing real‑time information on system outages, planned maintenance, and performance metrics for Making Tax Digital (MTD) services. Also covered are recent First‑tier Tribunal decisions on VAT group eligibility, the opening of a consultation on reforming the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), and updated guidance on the Plastic Packaging Tax.
Key Takeaways
- Transparency Improvement: The new status page allows practitioners to plan filings around known outages, reducing missed‑deadline penalties.
- VAT Group Clarification: Tribunal ruling confirms that ‘independent’ subsidiaries can join a VAT group if they meet the control test, expanding grouping opportunities.
- EIS Consultation Deadline: Responses due by 15 December 2026; proposed changes include tighter qualifying criteria for knowledge‑intensive companies.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement