Increase in number of Christmas Day tax returns

Payroll World: HMRC received 1,773 online tax returns on Christmas Day – a 13% increase on 2013’s total of 1,566.

Full story: http://www.payrollworld.com/article/17582/hmrc/increase-in-number-of-christmas-day-tax-returns?

‘Foreigner premium’ property taxes highest in Singapore and Hong Kong

OPP Connect: Overseas property buyers have to pay significantly more tax than domestic buyers in Singapore and Hong Kong, making them the most costly places for foreigners to invest in residential real estate in Asia Pacific, says Knight Frank.

Full story: http://www.opp-connect.com/07/01/2015/foreigner-premium-property-taxes-highest-in-singapore-and-hong-kong/?

LAW FIRM WARNS OF UK IMPACT FROM GERMAN IHT RULING

Campden Family Business: A court ruling in Germany making tax breaks and exceptions on inheritance for family businesses illegal may cause concern in the UK, a British law firm has warned.

Full story: http://www.campdenfb.com/article/law-firm-warns-uk-impact-german-iht-ruling?

News from HMRC on trusts and estates

ICAEW: At the end of last year HMRC published the Trusts and Estates Newsletter December 2014
Topics covered include the transition of the web content to the GOV.UK website and Autumn Statement announcements including the simplification of trust charges and new rules for multiple trusts.
Full story: http://www.ion.icaew.com/TaxFaculty/post/News-from-HMRC-on-trusts-and-estates?

France forced to drop 75% supertax after meagre returns

The Guardian: Hollande’s measure was meant to force wealthiest to help dig country out of economic crisis, but was accused of being anti-business.

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/31/france-drops-75percent-supertax

HMRC unveils the 10 worst excuses for late tax returns

Daily Telegraph: 'Barack Obama is in charge of my finances' is just one of the bizarre excuses HMRC received over the last 12 months.

Full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/tax/11325809/HMRC-unveils-the-10-worst-excuses-for-late-tax-returns.html