This week’s miscellaneous updates – 27 May 2024

In this week’s miscellaneous updates, HMRC has published guidance on using an agent to claim certain VAT refunds and guidance is also available for legal representatives on the information they need to tell HMRC to calculate the lump sum death benefit charge. The latest Agent Update is available which covers a range of areas and issues and HMRC is conducting research on the Income Record Viewer. And finally, HMRC’s latest Stakeholder Digest has been released which includes news of an update to HMRC’s Agent Standard, the standard which sets out HMRC’s expectations of tax agents and advisers in their dealings with HMRC and an overview of the way HMRC tackles the minority of agents who do not meet the standard. 

Using an agent to claim VAT refunds 

HMRC has added a section on using an agent to the following guidance pages: 

• VAT refunds for constructing a new charity building; 

• VAT refunds for new builds if you’re a DIY housebuilder; and 

• VAT refunds for conversions if you're a DIY housebuilder. 

Guidance on lump sum death benefits and the abolition of the lifetime allowance 

HMRC has published guidance for legal representatives on the information they need to provide to HMRC when calculating the lump sum death benefit charge. The legal representative is responsible for checking whether a chargeable amount arose, and for reporting any chargeable excess over the lump sum death benefit allowance to HMRC.  

HMRC has also published a set of over 100 FAQs on the abolition of the lifetime allowance for pension schemes. 

Latest Agent Update 

Agent update: issue 120 is available now. Get the latest guidance and information including:

• moving all exports to the Customs Declaration Service; 

• the enhanced check your State Pension forecast service is now available; 

• how you could benefit from joining the UK Internal Market Scheme; 

• Investment Zone tax reliefs guidance; and 

• reporting profits on a tax year basis from 2024/25.