New targets set for HMRC

The BBC is reporting that an inquiry by a committee of MPs heard from accountants and taxpayers about how they thought HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seemed to be operating on "auto-pilot". See the link below for full story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14978052

Chancellor orders HMRC to check revenue stream from 50% rate of tax

BBC News website is reporting as follows:

Chancellor George Osborne has asked the Inland Revenue to check whether the 50p top rate of income tax is actually making money for the government.

Some economists have claimed that tax avoidance and evasion mean the rate is raising less income than expected.

Full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14515518

Key reason for career moves is now pay, says CIPD

The prospect of better pay has overtaken job satisfaction as the main reason for moving to another job, a survey suggests.

Just over half of the 2,000 people surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said a rise in wages and benefits was the key reason for changing employer.

In the same poll a year ago, job satisfaction was the main reason.

Full story from the BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14307405

Pay freeze for 75% of workers reports CIPD

Only a quarter of workers in the UK have had a pay rise so far this year, the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) has said.

Full story from the BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14386032

Self-assessment: Paper problems caused tax delay

The UK tax authority has failed to order enough special paper, causing a delay in statements about unpaid tax.

HMRC usually tells people who have to pay their taxes "on account" that they should make two estimated tax payments, one by 31 January and the other by 31 July.

But this year the statements for July have been delayed for some people. HMRC said it underestimated the number of forms printed on special paper - similar to credit card statements - that were required.

For the full story see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14291641

Maitland & Co. appoint Partners from Withers and PwC Legal

The Lawyer reports:

Private client specialist Maitland has made a double partner hire into its London office.

John Langan joins Maitland after five years as a partner at Withers. He will lead Maitland’s funds team in London and brings experience in advising asset managers on collective investment vehicles for high-net-worth individuals and family offices.

Meanwhile, Hed Amitai also joins Maitland in London as a partner, joining the private client department. Amitai is moving from PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal, where he set up and led the private wealth structuring department.