On Wednesday 28 October 2026 the UK government announced its much-anticipated Autumn Budget, which included a broad range of tax measures. The measures are expected to be implemented over the next two years, with some measures taking effect from 28 October 2026, some next year, and others that are expected
Treasury and IRS Propose Racial Nondiscrimination Regulations for Private Schools
Introduction
On September 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) published proposed regulations (the “Proposed Regulations”) that would revoke the tax-exempt status of a private school if it adopts, maintains, or enforces a policy or practice that discriminates on the basis…
Digital Advertising Gross Revenue Tax Comprehensively Struck Down by Maryland Tax Court – with Potential Impact Elsewhere
Introduction
On August 14, 2026, the Maryland Tax Court struck down the state’s Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax (the “Tax”). In Apple Inc. v. Comptroller, Google LLC v. Comptroller and Peacock TV, LLC v. Comptroller, the court held that the Tax violated the federal Internet Taxation Freedom Act…
Fifth Circuit Withdraws Sirius Solutions Opinion and Adopts New “Significant Role” Standard for the Limited Partner Exception
On August 12, 2026, in K Alain, L.L.L.P. v. Commissioner,[1] the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit withdrew its taxpayer-friendly January 16, 2026 opinion in Sirius Solutions, L.L.L.P. v. Commissioner,[2] and replaced it with a decision that is ambiguous in its application but appears…
UK withholding tax on interest: simplification or risk shift?
On 13 July 2026, HMRC published a consultation on simplifying the process for obtaining treaty relief from UK withholding tax on interest paid overseas.
The consultation considers whether UK payers should be able to apply treaty relief at source without first obtaining a formal direction from HMRC. If implemented, this…
Securities Transfer Tax: a welcome simplification for LP secondary transactions?
The UK government has published draft legislation for a new Securities Transfer Tax (STT), which is expected to replace the existing stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT) regimes for transfers of securities.
The proposal is intended to modernise and simplify the UK’s stamp taxes on shares regime by…
HMRC consults on aligning the taxation of distributions from non-UK resident companies
HMRC has published a consultation on proposals to modernise the UK tax framework for distributions and repayments of capital made by companies to individual and trust shareholders. A key feature of the consultation is a proposal to align the income tax treatment of distributions made by UK and non-UK resident…
BlueCrest: UK Supreme Court clarifies “significant influence” under the LLP salaried members rules
The Supreme Court has handed down its judgment in HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP, dismissing BlueCrest’s appeal and providing important clarification on the application of the salaried members rules to investment management LLPs.
The decision is particularly significant for asset managers, hedge fund managers and other investment…
HMRC guidance provides welcome comfort for private equity management rollovers
HMRC has published updated guidance on the revised share reorganisation anti-avoidance rules following the changes introduced by Finance Act 2026. The guidance provides welcome confirmation that standard private equity management rollover arrangements should continue to benefit from share-for-share exchange relief despite concerns raised by the widening of the anti-avoidance provisions.…
Back in Business? The IRS Revives “Significant Issue” Rulings for Corporate Transactions
On May 5, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released Revenue Procedure 2026-21 (the “Rev. Proc.”), which reinstates a program under which taxpayers may request private letter rulings (“PLRs”) on “significant issues” arising in certain corporate transactions[1] without asking the IRS to rule on the entire integrated transaction.[2]…