As we near the end of 2020, a year full of new challenges and change, there are a number of learnings we can reflect on, and questions we will ponder as we enter 2021.  

The recent outcome of the Sambhi v HMRC case has highlighted the complexities and absence of case law surrounding the temporary workplace rules, which govern the tax relief available on travel and subsistence payments for employees working at a ‘temporary workplace’.  

HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) has recently reported a 4-year high in Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) revenues after collecting an additional £274m as a direct result of more than 5,000 investigations during the 2019/20 tax year.

With Christmas only one month away, employers and employees will now be thinking ahead on what this means during Christmas when most employers shutdown or employees request holidays during the festive period.

Even with perfect vision, no-one could have foreseen how difficult a year 2020 would have been for UK businesses.  However, as we head towards 2021, and the end of the Brexit transitional period, the fresh challenges involved in the import or export of goods and services from the UK are clearer to see. 

As we are approaching the end of 2020 which has been a year full of not so pleasant surprises, many employer’s may be thinking of more creative ways to arrange socially distant and ‘lockdown’ friendly Christmas parties, replacing the usual in person events. This may see employers taking advantage of digital platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams which we have all become experts on between work meetings and quiz nights with family and friends over the challenging year we have all had.