In brief

Mortgage Choice has launched phase two of its online applications for its lender panel.

Doug Hall, sales director at Mortgage Choice, said: “The launch of the online application is the next step for existing and new intermediaries to Mortgage Choice and can only result in an even better turnaround time. Our technology has the added benefit of being able to pre-populate with lender systems, reducing our processing time.”

KRS announces

partnership

Key Retirement Solutions (KRS) has announced a partnership with Intrinsic Financial Services.

The partnership will see Intrinsic refer all equity release business from its 300 plus advisers to KRS’s equity release referral service, Key Partnerships.

HMRC changes predicted to impact small businesses

Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, (HMRC), is looking to change its civil and criminal powers, financial advisers Grant Thornton has said.

HMRC has announced its intention to seek much tougher powers to arrest, bail and search taxpayers where they suspect tax evasion.

An inspector will have access to company’s records, allowing them to make judgements about current tax compliance without waiting for accounts to be completed or returns submitted.