HMRC collects £136m in capital gains tax probes

Professional Adviser: HMRC investigations have yielded a record £136m in extra capital gains tax (CGT) collected from individuals and small businesses in the last year, according to an accountancy firm.

Full story: http://www.professionaladviser.com/professional-adviser/news/2389768/hmrc-collects-gbp136m-in-capital-gains-tax-probes

Labour split over mansion tax

ICAEW: Labour MPs are split over the party’s flagship mansion tax policy, according to a new poll out today.

Full story: http://economia.icaew.com/news/january-2015/labour-split-over-mansion-tax

Happy birthday, income tax

ICAEW: It may not rank among national treasures but today we say happy birthday to income tax, which turns 216.

Full story: http://economia.icaew.com/news/january-2015/happy-birthday-income-tax

Is the government clampdown on tax avoidance hindering tax planning?

Professional Adviser: The government is right to stamp out tax avoidance but, Rachael Griffin asks: is the clampdown putting people off legitimate tax planning?

Full story: http://www.professionaladviser.com/professional-adviser/opinion/2389405/is-the-government-clampdown-on-tax-avoidance-hindering-tax-planning

George Osborne confirms plan to use budget surplus to cut taxes by 2020

The Guardian: Chancellor says planned budget surplus of £23bn would allow Tory government to cut UK national debt and reduce tax burden.

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/08/george-osborne-budget-surplus-cut-taxes-2020?

Credit Suisse offices in Milan searched by Italian tax police

Reuters: Credit Suisse's offices in Milan were searched by Italian tax police last month as part of an investigation into whether the bank helped wealthy Italians hide undeclared funds offshore, an Italian judicial source said.

Full story: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/01/08/swiss-tax-credt-suisse-grp-idUKL6N0UN1SJ20150108?rpc=401