HMRC publish Agent Update: Brexit Special

Newsletter issue - October 2019.

HMRC have published a Brexit edition of their Agent Update publication, which contains some useful information on changes to various procedures after Brexit.

In particular, articles are included on the following topics:

Grants for businesses completing customs declarations: £16m in new government funding is now available to help businesses train staff in making customs declarations, and to help businesses who support others who trade goods to invest in IT. This will ensure that trade with the EU continues as smoothly as possible after Brexit on 31 October.

Customs agents currently help businesses who trade outside the EU. This funding should help increase the capacity of the sector as businesses trading with the EU consider whether to get an expert to complete customs documentation for them after Brexit.

Changes for UK employers sending workers to the EU, the EEA or Switzerland: Currently the EU Social Security Coordination Regulations ensure employers and their workers only need to pay social security contributions (such as National Insurance contributions in the UK) in one country at a time. However if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, the coordination between the UK and the EU will end. This will mean that employees working in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland may need to make social security contributions in both the UK and the country in which they are working at the same time.

VAT IT system changes for businesses outside the UK: Businesses need to prepare for various changes to VAT in the event of a no-deal Brexit. HMRC have flagged up new procedures for checking VAT numbers and paying VAT on sales of digital services provided to UK consumers.

The Service section of the Special Edition carries information on Brexit webinars and the HMRC alert service.

View Agent Update Brexit Edition (September 2019).