Zac Goldsmith pledges to publish tax return after non-dom status row

Evening Standard: Tory mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith has pledged to publish his tax return after facing pressure over his finances.

Full story: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/mayor/zac-goldsmith-pledges-to-publish-tax-return-after-nondom-status-row-a3182521.html

Questions asked about delay to IHT rule clarification

FT Adviser: A tax adviser has said that George Osborne’s failure to deliver on his promise to consult on new inheritance tax (IHT) rules on UK property held in offshore companies, has created confusion for advisers.

Full story: http://www.ftadviser.com/2016/02/19/ifa-industry/tax-planning/questions-asked-about-delay-to-iht-rule-clarification-M7CgPDfPisKOh6UZ0ttM9J/article.html

Probate fees soar to £20k to fund courts

Law Society Gazette: The Ministry of Justice is proposing a massive increase in probate fees for the highest-value estates in an effort to raise an extra £250m a year to fund the courts and tribunal service.

Full story: http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/probate-fees-soar-to-20k-to-fund-courts/5053754.article

KPMG appoints new UK head of tax

Accountancy Age: KPMG has selected Michelle Quest as its new UK head of tax, pensions and legal services with immediate effect.

Full story: http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/news/2448135/kpmg-appoints-new-uk-head-of-tax

EU, Monaco Initial New Tax Transparency Agreement

Tax-News: The European Union and Monaco have agreed to automatically exchange information on their residents' financial accounts from 2018.

Full story: http://www.tax-news.com/news/EU_Monaco_Initial_New_Tax_Transparency_Agreement____70511.html

What is behind the rise of the Private Office?

CityWire: The growing popularity of private investment offices underlines the range of means wealth managers are pursuing to service ultra-high net worth clients.

Full story: http://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/news/what-is-behind-the-rise-of-the-private-office/a877896?ref=wealth_manager_all_stories_list

IHT tools to escape HMRC tax disclosure rules

International Adviser: Including popular inheritance tax planning vehicles in the UK's tax avoidance disclosure regime would be a step too far, HM Revenue & Customs has agreed.

Full story: http://www.international-adviser.com/news/1027465/iht-tools-escape-hmrcs-dotas-rules

PwC replaces Deloitte as world's largest firm

ICAEW: PwC has seized back the number one spot in the world rankings from Deloitte after two years of playing catch-up.

Full story: http://economia.icaew.com/news/february-2016/pwc-back-as-largest-firm-in-the-world

Activist actor takes aim at HMRC loopholes in TV documentary

International Adviser: A documentary programme on Britain's Channel 4 to be aired on Monday (8 February) will see actor Greg Wise pose as a client while two financials advisers offer to help him exploit HMRC’s tax loopholes.

Full story: http://www.international-adviser.com/news/1027410/actor-greg-wise-takes-aim-hmrc-tax-loopholes-tv-documentary

Withers launches class action for footballers hit by tax schemes

CityWire: Private client law firm Withers has a launched class action for footballers who face losing millions from investing in tax avoidance schemes.

Full story: http://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/news/withers-launches-class-action-for-footballers-hit-by-tax-schemes/a881103?ref=wealth_manager_all_stories_list

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has brought in over £2bn from tax avoidance scheme users since a rule change in 2014 allowed it to collect money upfront

CityAM: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has collected over £2bn from tax avoidance scheme users since 2014, thanks to a rule change that makes it easier to collect disputed amounts upfront.

Full story: http://www.cityam.com/234065/hm-revenue-customs-hmrc-has-brought-in-over-2bn-from-tax-avoidance-scheme-users-since-a-rule-change-in-2014-allowed-it-to-collect-money-upfront