Building or Bombing Bridges?

The relationship between the tax authorities and business is complex and multi-faceted and there is scope within it for both vicious and virtuous circles to develop concurrently. That is broadly what is happening today. There have been some strong and positive initiatives from the tax authorities and some strong and positive engagement from the business community. Genuine initiatives to strengthen working relationships have been very welcome and the publication of the Varney Review should lead to a significant step forward in relations between the tax authorities and business. But what has been done already and what Varney may hold in store have to be weighed in the context of a relationship that in...