The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents. New rateable values for business properties came into effect in April 2023. Councils used these new values to calculate business rates bills.
Businesses can challenge their valuation if they think it’s incorrect. They can use a rating agent to do this. Some rogue agents submit inaccurate information, which can result in penalties or increased rates bills. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees they can secure big business rates reductions.
See: Be wary of rogue business rates agents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
HMRC have clarified the position on Self Assessment tax return reporting requirements for directors of close companies and updated their guidance for directors of charities.
HMRC have updated guidance on UK VAT refunds for non-UK businesses in a VAT group. Revenue & Customs Brief 10 (2026) explains changes to how non-UK businesses in a VAT group should make future UK VAT refund claims and the transitional arrangements. It also explains how to ask HMRC to reconsider claims made since 1 January 2021 that have been refused.