Latest news with #AndrewPark
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Stormtroopers meet Spider-Man at Comic-Con 2025
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster, California, dressed as the Joker from Batman Photograph: Andrew Park/Invision/AP Chris Lane and his wife Shannon wear costumes inspired by Murderbot Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Diana, Kal Smith and Melissa Ann from San Diego pose during the preview night Photograph: Andrew Park/Invision/AP Andrew Ghannadian, from San Diego, dressed as 8-Ball Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP A cosplayer wears her mask backwards as she waits in line before the preview night Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP An attendee arrives in costume for the opening day Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters A person in costume during the comics arts conference Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPA A Comic-Con fan dressed as a Stormtrooper from Star Wars Photograph: Carlos A Moreno/Anadolu/Getty Images Allison Tabitha, of Orlando, dressed as Zelda from the Legend of Zelda video game Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Comic-Con fans outside the San Diego convention centre Photograph: Carlos A Moreno/Anadolu/Getty Images A person in cosplay attends the conference in San Diego Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPA Comic-Con fans dress as Star Wars characters outside the San Diego convention centre Photograph: Carlos A Moreno/Anadolu/Getty Images A Comic-Con fan dressed as Marvel's Spider-Man Photograph: Carlos A Moreno/Anadolu/Getty Images A person dressed in cosplay Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPA Fans dressed as Sue Storm and The Thing from The Fantastic Four Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPA Daniel Jung of San Diego, dressed as a character from Among Us Photograph: Andrew Park/Invision/AP
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Taxpayers told they may be free from HMRC fees and could be due a refund
A total of 46,266 penalties were withdrawn in the tax year to April 2024 after being issued to people who either owed no tax or missed deadlines due to reasons beyond their control Tens of thousands of taxpayers may have been wrongly fined by HMRC, and many Brits could be in line for refunds after a record number of penalties were cancelled last year. A significant 46,266 fines were withdrawn over the course of just 12 months, having been issued to individuals who either didn't owe any tax or missed deadlines due to circumstances beyond their control. These figures, published in HMRC's most recent statements, show a 29 per cent surge in annulled penalties compared to the previous year. Now, experts are calling on people to contest fines they reckon are unjust. Taxpayers can be served an automatic £100 fine for failing to meet the self-assessment deadline, while businesses can be penalised for tardy VAT returns. However, a wave of successful appeals has been seen following challenges made through HMRC's online system, which underwent an overhaul in early 2023 to simplify the appeal process, reports the Express. Yet Andrew Park, a tax partner at accountancy firm Price Bailey, warns that the issue is much more pervasive, with numerous fines being set off by banking delays, administrative errors within HMRC, and chronic customer service shortcomings. "Late filing penalties are disproportionately levied on people on low incomes, many of whom have no tax to pay," he disclosed to the Telegraph. It has also come to light that over the past five years, 600,000 penalties have been meted out to individuals earning below the £12,570 personal allowance, indicating they had zero tax liability to begin with. After obtaining this data through a Freedom of Information request, the thinktank Tax Policy Associates has called for the abolition of such penalties. HMRC's helpline has also been criticised. In the first half of 2024-25, the tax authority left 35% of calls unanswered, falling short of its 85% target. Despite drafting in more call handlers to improve the situation, scores of taxpayers are still struggling to get assistance prior to the filing deadline. HMRC issued a staggering nine million penalties on taxpayers last year, a jump from just over eight million the previous year. Park says millions could be paying penalties needlessly: "When two-thirds of appealed penalties are overturned, yet only a small fraction of the nine million issued are challenged, it suggests a significant number of taxpayers may be paying penalties they could successfully contest." A revised points-based penalty system introduced under the Making Tax Digital initiative is set to give self-employed individuals using digital system relief from the automatic £100 fine. Instead, self-employed taxpayers will accrue penalty points with a maximum £200 cap per return. Those not covered by Making Tax Digital – including numerous low-income earners – remain subject to the more unforgiving legacy system. An HMRC spokesperson defended their position: "Our penalty reforms enable customers to appeal easily and quickly online against both penalties and penalty points. Our new points-based system means only those who persistently miss deadlines will incur a financial penalty." Taxpayers who reckon they've been unjustly fined have a 30-day window from the date on the penalty notice to lodge an appeal. Those who no longer need to file a return must inform HMRC prior to January 31 to dodge a fine. What to do if you've been fined Check if you actually owed tax – if not, your fine may be challengeable. Appeal online via your HMRC account within 30 days. If you're self-employed and not in Making Tax Digital, be aware you're still under the old regime. Contact HMRC if you believe you were wrongly issued a return request.
Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
HMRC cancels record number of tax return penalties
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) cancelled a record 46,266 fines last year after penalising taxpayers who owed no tax. Taxpayers and businesses face an automatic fine if they miss the self-assessment or VAT deadline. However, they can appeal if they filed late through no fault of their own or if they have been mistakenly asked to complete a tax return. The number of penalties cancelled on appeal has surged 29pc year on year to 46,266, according to HMRC's latest annual accounts. HMRC said this was because it was now easier for businesses to appeal fines through their online accounts after the new penalty regime for VAT came into effect in January 2023 and had driven the surge in fines being overturned. However, Andrew Park, of Price Bailey, said banking delays, administrative failings by HMRC, and poor customer service were all factors that led to taxpayers filing late. The tax office did not pick up the phone to 35pc of callers in the first half of 2024-25, despite a target of answering at least 85pc of calls. However, figures show HMRC's customer service levels have improved since then, thanks to the deployment of extra customer service advisers. In addition, many fines may have been cancelled because the individual owed no tax. Mr Park said: 'Late filing penalties are disproportionately levied on people on low incomes, many of whom have no tax to pay.' It recently emerged that 600,000 penalties have been issued over the past five years to people earning less than the tax-free personal allowance. The think tank Tax Policy Associates, which obtained the data in a freedom of information request, has called on HMRC to scrap late penalties for those earning less than £12,570. HMRC has introduced a new points-based penalty system for taxpayers joining the Making Tax Digital programme. Under the system, there will no longer be an immediate £100 fine if the deadline is missed, and penalties will be capped at £200 per tax return. However, those with a lower income who are outside Making Tax Digital will continue to be assessed under the old regime. In total, the tax office issued nine million penalties, up from over eight million the year before. Missing the self-assessment deadline results in an automatic £100 penalty, with additional penalties rolling up over time. For businesses, failing to submit a VAT return on time results in a penalty point, with a £200 fine due once they reach their penalty threshold, set by their accounting period. Mr Park said many taxpayers might be unaware they could appeal a fine. 'When two-thirds of appealed penalties are overturned, yet only a small fraction of the nine million issued are challenged, it suggests a significant number of taxpayers may be paying penalties they could successfully contest.' HMRC asks those who no longer need to submit a tax return to inform them before the deadline on 31 January. Anyone who believes they have been incorrectly fined for filing late can appeal to HMRC within 30 days of the penalty notice being issued. A spokesman for HMRC said: 'Our penalty reforms enable customers to appeal easily and quickly online against both penalties and penalty points. Our new points-based system means only those who persistently miss deadlines will incur a financial penalty.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meet the North East dad and daughter duo saving lives on the job
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has praised a father and daughter who are volunteering side by side to help save lives in their community. Andrew and Jade Park, who live in Seahouses, are trained community first responders (CFRs) with the NEAS, and deliver lifesaving care in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive. Their work is being celebrated as part of National Volunteers' Week, which runs from June 2 to 8. Mr Park was inspired to volunteer after seeing a post on Facebook shared by the widow of a respected CFR who had helped his family. He said: "Having experienced the care of community first responders first hand, I was aware of the vital role they can play with early intervention, especially in a more rural community. "Having witnessed a serious car accident a few months earlier, I wanted to be more helpful than I had felt in that situation. "Also, if I could help to get the Seahouses kit operational again, it would be great for the community." Since becoming a CFR, Mr Park has decided to change careers and will begin training as an apprentice ambulance support practitioner next month, with hopes of one day joining his daughter on shift. He said: "I've had the opportunity to attend multiple calls with my daughter who is the other community first responder in Seahouses. "It fills me with pride to watch her interact with the patients and crews that we meet." Miss Park became a CFR after finishing sixth form, hoping to gain experience before applying to university. She said: "Having just finished sixth form and going on to apply to university after a gap year, becoming a CFR fit in perfectly with my desire for more experience towards my course. "On top of this, past experiences where a first responder had come into my home to help a family member has greatly influenced my choice. "Seeing the importance of a CFR up close made me realise how I could positively impact someone's health and wellbeing. "Being a volunteer within NEAS is something that I carry with great pride. "Being able to give back to the community that you were brought up in is the most amazing feeling." CFRs are trained volunteers who respond to 999 calls in their area, delivering immediate care such as CPR and defibrillation while ambulance crews are en route. They are particularly vital in rural areas, where response times may be longer due to distance. Paul Brolly, community resuscitation officer at NEAS, said: "Historically served by local volunteer responders, coastal areas have recently experienced a gap in CFR coverage. "We recognised the need for volunteers in these areas, particularly given the county's rural nature and tourism levels, which are high especially in the summer. Read more: County Durham shops warned of £200 fines if found selling disposable vapes after ban Fresh off the block, market place chippy latest in Echo's top ten Demolition plans lodged for County Durham primary school's swimming pool "Our service has worked proactively to reintroduce CFR volunteers, and the return of responders to Bamburgh and Seahouses in the shape of Andrew and Jade marks an important step in strengthening emergency response capabilities across Northumberland." In 2024/25, NEAS CFRs responded to more than 1,850 patients across the service's 3,200-square-mile patch. To find out more about becoming a community first responder, visit the NEAS website.
