Hong Kong regulator ramps up disciplinary action
Disciplinary action taken by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) kicked up a gear during 1H16, rising 66.7% from last year.
Tax & Regulation
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FCA sets deadline to end closed life book ‘poor practice’
A tighter framework for closed books of life and pensions business has been unveiled by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after uncovering poor practices in parts of the industry.
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Tax avoidance vs evasion debate “immoral” and “inconsistent”
The gap between tax avoidance and evasion is disappearing and it is “immoral” to refer to it in the modern tax debate, said Richard Murphy, professor in practice in international political economy at City, University of London.
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UK property held in offshore companies to come under IHT
Non-domiciled investors in UK residential properties held via an offshore corporate structure are being urged to check with their advisers about their Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability after the government published plans to tighten the rules.
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HMRC targets 43 football players after £158m tax avoidance haul
HMRC is currently investigating 43 football players and 12 clubs over their use of offshore companies to avoid paying tax on money earned through image rights in the UK, with a senior official revealing the tax office has clawed back £158m ($199m, €186m) in the last two years.
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UK and Hong Kong regulators agree fintech cooperation
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are to “foster collaboration between the two regulatory authorities in promoting financial innovation”.
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Regulating Rops will ‘level playing field’, say providers
The UK’s plans to change the way overseas pension schemes are taxed and regulated have been welcomed by some providers, who say the changes will level the playing field between Rops and UK pensions and increase consumer protection.
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HMRC tightens noose on advisers who enable tax avoidance
HMRC is to go ahead and issue hefty fines to financial advisers found guilty of helping their clients avoid tax, as it sets out clear guidelines on who exactly will be affected by the move.
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UK’s plan to review portfolio bond ‘anomaly’ welcomed
HM Revenue & Customs’ plans to review personal portfolio bonds (PPB) and potentially correct cases where British expats are left with ‘inequitable’ tax charges when they return to the UK, have been welcomed by industry.
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Key action points for US citizens facing up to Fatca
Compliance with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Fatca) by those institutions affected by it is now well advanced, but the picture is much less clear for individuals affected by the new rules, says David Andrews, executive director (international private clients) at HFM Columbus.
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UK gov’t moves to tackle rising threat of pension scams
Nearly two years after the UK pension freedoms were introduced, the British government believes the current massive scale of scamming activity surrounding the industry warrants new laws to limit the rights of savers to transfer money out of existing schemes for their own protection.
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Ronaldo and Mourinho embroiled in €185m Spanish tax avoidance
Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are accused of dodging millions of dollars of tax by channelling money to offshore tax havens, according to leaked documents obtained by a number of media outlets.