HM Revenue and Customs

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the UK's tax authority, responsible for collecting taxes, paying out benefits like child benefit, and enforcing tax laws. Recent news highlights several challenges and controversies facing the organization. Significant delays in processing tax rebates, sometimes exceeding a year, are causing financial hardship for individuals. HMRC is also under scrutiny for its anti-fraud measures related to child benefit payments, with internal documents revealing a calculated risk of harm to families. Furthermore, HMRC is relevant in cases of alleged financial misconduct, such as the recent high court ruling involving the former owner of Yodel. Finally, HMRC is actively reminding individuals earning income from festive side hustles to comply with tax regulations, emphasizing the importance of declaring earnings to avoid potential penalties. These events underscore HMRC's broad reach and the impact of its actions on individuals and businesses across the UK.