Administration and Appeals: Working with tax agents
Leading tax bodies registered their 'deep concern' at draft legislation to implement proposals to tackle deliberate wrongdoing by tax agents after consultation on the draft published on 8 February was extended to 28 April.
HMRC had said the draft reflected proposals contained in 'Working with Tax Agents: The Next Stage' published at PBR 2009 but indicated that changes would be made. Responding to the main consultation which closed on 3 March the ICAEW Tax Faculty said HMRC acknowledged that the draft legislation had caused 'major concerns'. The definitions of 'tax agent' and 'deliberate wrongdoing' were 'far too wide' and appeared to catch 'ordinary tax planning'.
HMRC's assurances that agents adhering to professional standards should not be affected were welcome the Faculty said. 'But we fear that they are at odds with the apparent intent of the draft...
