Administration and Appeals: CIOT slams 'absurd' legislation

Administration and Appeals: CIOT slams 'absurd' legislation

Innocent tax agents and HMRC staff risk being found guilty of 'deliberate wrongdoing' under the terms of draft legislation issued for consultation in February according to the CIOT. The leading tax bodies registered 'deep concern' at the draft legislation last month when they responded to the consultation document 'Working with Tax Agents: The Next Stage' published at PBR 2009.

Consultation on the draft legislation was extended to 28 April. In its formal response published on 1 April the CIOT called on the Government to 'tear up' the proposed legislation and start again. As drafted the tax body argued the legislation 'would lead to absurd outcomes' and one clause enabling HMRC effectively to amend the rules as it sees fit is 'completely wrong'. A financial adviser encouraging investment in an ISA a charity asking a donor to...