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Amendment to regulations for filing VAT returns
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Following a tribunal ruling, changes have been made to regulations for filing VAT returns.
Changes made following tribunal ruling over online filing

HM Revenue & Customs have confirmed a change to regulations for the filing of VAT returns after a tribunal ruled that UK VAT law failed to take into account the difficulties some individuals have in filing returns online.

From April 2012 the vast majority of businesses were legally mandated to file their VAT returns online. While many found it easy to make the transition from paper filing, HMRC was contacted by a number of individuals to explain their difficulties in filing in returns online. The businesses were advised of digital assistance options to meet the legal obligation, including that they should use public libraries, the computers of friends or family, use the services of an agent or, if none of these were appropriate to use the existing filing by telephone service.

However in response to appeals against the requirement to file online, the First-tier tribunal ruled that UK VAT law failed to take account of an individual's ability to comply on account of age, disability, computer literacy and remoteness of location and, as such, was a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The judge also held that HMRC could not rely on the fact that telephone filing had been made available to certain businesses to remedy the breach as it had not been legislated for or properly publicised.

Following formal consultation Regulation 25A of VAT Regulations 1995 has been amended to enable HMRC to make a Commissioners' direction approving telephone filing as an alternative method for filing for businesses that satisfy HMRC that it is it not practicable to use the online service and to provide an exemption for businesses that satisfy HMRC that it is not reasonably practicable for them to use the online service so that such businesses can file on paper. 

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk