License renewal tax checks plan the next focus of Sub-Committee’s inquiry
For the 2nd round of public evidence sessions into the 2021 Draft Finance Bill, views are being sought by the Sub-Committee from the Institute of Licensing (IoE), British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) and other bodies on the Government’s plan to give HMRC the power to conduct tax checks on license renewal applications.
Meeting details
At 4:00pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Draft Finance Bill 2021
National Chair at National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers
President at Institute of Licensing
At 5:00pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Draft Finance Bill 2021
Chair at Licensed Private Hire Car Association
Public Affairs and Communications Manager at British Metals Recycling Association
General Secretary at Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA)
Possible questions
- How do you feel about the addition of tax checks into the licence renewal process?
- The new system of tax checks is due to be introduced in April 2022. What do you think of this timetable, given that businesses are likely to be adversely affected by the impact of COVID-19 on the economy?
- HMRC acknowledges that some businesses are non-compliant because either they do not fully understand what is needed to register for tax, or see the process as too difficult. What has HMRC done to help businesses understand their obligations - and is there more they could have done?
- How effective are the tax checks likely to be in meeting their objective? Are you concerned that more people might be tempted not to renew their licences and so move into the hidden economy?
- How straightforward is the process involved in the tax checks from the point of view of the applicant? Is the process simple to understand, something which HMRC said was an objective? Is there any scope for further simplification or streamlining?
- Do you agree with HMRC that these proposals may create opportunities to drive up standards in these sectors more generally?