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One month left to comment on HMRC proposals on working with tax agents

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 04 February 2010

There is one month left to respond to HM Revenue and Customs’ consultation Working with Tax Agents.

The consultation, launched at the Pre-Budget Report on 9 December last year, closes on 3 March.

It invites views on:

· greater disclosure by HMRC to professional bodies where there is evidence of members’ poor technical performance or unprofessional conduct;

· modernised ways to tackle deliberate wrongdoing by tax agents, including access to working papers, a tax geared penalty and greater publicity; and

· high volume agents who make large numbers of claims that have little or no merit.

Dave Hartnett, HMRC Permanent Secretary for Tax, said:

“We think there is a clear case for powers that are carefully focused on the small minority of agents whose approach to their work brings the profession as a whole into disrepute.

“If taxpayers are to get the standard of service they deserve we have to work with agents in an open and positive atmosphere. This consultation is about achieving that. We are interested to hear your views.”

Responses can be sent to:

powers.review-of-hmrc@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk, or

HMRC Review of Powers: Room 1/72, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ.

Notes to Editors

1. The full consultation is at www.hmrc.gov.uk/consultations/index.htm.

2. A summary of views received on the first part of the consultation, launched in April 2009, can be seen at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/consultations/index.htm.

NAT 09.10

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office

Press enquiries only please contact:

Contacts:

HMRC Out of Hours
Phone: 07860 359544
NDS.HMRC@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Helen Jones
Phone: 020 7147 2328
helen.a.jones@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk