Voluntary tax returns

Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2018/19 with retrospective and prospective effect to put HMRC’s longstanding practice of accepting voluntary tax returns onto a statutory basis.

These voluntary returns will be put on an equal footing with returns delivered under a formal notice to file and apply to income tax, capital gains tax and corporation tax returns.

Business rates relief

Retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 will see their business rates bills cut by a third for two years from April 2019, subject to state aid limits.

Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS)

Currently the GASDS only applies to donations of £20 or less made by individuals in cash or by contactless payment. This limit will increase to £30. Parliamentary timetable permitting, this will become effective from 6 April 2019.