Manches and Penningtons in advanced merger talks to create £60m firm

The Lawyer: Manches is close to sealing a merger with private client firm Penningtons in a move that would create a £60m firm of roughly 250 lawyers.

Full story: http://www.thelawyer.com/analysis/the-lawyer-management/financial-news/revealed-manches-and-penningtons-in-advanced-merger-talks-to-create-60m-firm/3009952.article

Osborne’s Swiss tax raid revealed as £2bn flop

Citywire: Chancellor George Osborne's highly-publicised targeting of wealth held in Swiss bank accounts has raised £2 billion less than hoped, according to figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

Full story: http://www.citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/osborne-s-swiss-tax-raid-revealed-as-2bn-flop/a704644?ref=new-model-adviser-latest-news-list

HMRC adds tax evasion and avoidance policy update

Accountancy Live: HMRC has added a new campaigns section to its policy detail on ‘Reducing tax evasion and avoidance’.

Full story: http://www.accountancylive.com/croner/jsp/Editorial.do?channelId=-601014&contentId=2758590

Crowe Clark Whitehill finds a new home in Mayfair

Crowe Clark Whitehill: National accountancy firm Crowe Clark Whitehill’s Mayfair office is moving to a stylish new address to better accommodate its team and their clientele.

Full story: http://www.crowehorwath.net/UK/news/Crowe_Clark_Whitehill_finds_a_new_home_in_Mayfair.aspx

HMRC signals tough stance in tax avoidance cases

Accountancy Live: HMRC has set out its policy on witholding repayment claims in tax avoidance cases, saying its new guidelines are designed to stop tax avoiders from acquiring an advantage over those who do not seek to get around the rules.

Full story: http://www.accountancylive.com/croner/jsp/Editorial.do?channelId=-601043&contentId=2749366

Beanie Babies creator Ty Warner to plead guilty to tax evasion

Daily Telegraph: The creator of the popular Beanie Babies plush toys became the latest American to face tax evasion charges after Swiss bank UBS began cooperating with US prosecutors.

Full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10318657/Beanie-Babies-creator-Ty-Warner-to-plead-guilty-to-tax-evasion.html