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]…
In Liberty Global, the Tenth Circuit Leaves Taxpayers with an Opinion with Unresolved Questions
On April 21, 2026, in Liberty Global, Inc. v. United States, the Tenth Circuit held that the economic substance doctrine was “relevant” and applied to deny Liberty Global, Inc. a $2.4 billion deduction and imposed a 40% penalty with respect to a transaction known as “Project Soy”. The Tenth…
Court of Appeal confirms genuine EBT loans not taxable as earnings (pre-disguised remuneration rules)
The Court of Appeal has confirmed in HMRC v M R Currell Ltd that, prior to the introduction of the disguised remuneration rules, a genuine and repayable loan made via an employee benefit trust (EBT) is not taxable as employment income.
Although the decision relates to a pre-Part 7A regime…
Burlington in the Court of Appeal: New Guidance on Purpose Tests and Access to Treaty Benefits
The Court of Appeal has confirmed in Burlington Loan Management DAC v HMRC that “obtaining the benefit of” a tax treaty is not the same as “taking advantage of” it. The treaty anti-abuse rule will only apply where the taxpayer seeks to obtain that benefit in a way that is…
Update: Federal Rulings Ease COVID‑Era Interest, Penalty and Filing Burdens
Update: The National Taxpayer Advocate has published a blog post urging taxpayers to evaluate whether they have claims for refund based on the recent Abdo and Kwong decisions. Importantly, the Taxpayer Advocate suggests that the argument for penalty and interest relief based on the COVID pandemic disaster declarations is…
Tax Court Rejects Due Process Challenge to BBA Audit Regime in Jones Bluff
On March 19, 2026, in Jones Bluff, LLC v. Commissioner, 166 T.C. No. 6 (2026), the Tax Court held that a partnership could not assert due process claims to invalidate an IRS adjustment on behalf of its partners under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (the “BBA”) regime. The…
HMRC proposes expanded reporting for close company shareholder transactions
Many of our clients and readers will be familiar with the “loan to participator” rules. These rules apply to loans made by close companies, which in general terms are companies which are controlled by five or fewer participators (or by any number of participators who are also shareholders), to their…