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]…
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…