You are the current CIOT president. What do you hope to achieve during your term in office?
I am keen to build a much higher level of trust and transparency between HMRC and the tax profession and, in turn, the taxpayer community. I applaud the government’s digital agenda, and I think we could be on the brink of a true revolution in the administration and collection of taxes. Anything that provides a higher degree of engagement by the citizen with their tax affairs – which this undoubtedly will for some, but not all in society – has my vote.
However, the piece that requires more focus and attention is the role of the tax agent. Even given the attempts of the PAC and the media to do down the tax adviser, the relationship that agents have with their clients is based on the very trust and transparency that HMRC needs to build to make the new digital tax account work effectively. Recognising the role agents can and should play in this new world is critical. In the words of David Cameron, ‘we are all in this together’ – so all sides should work together to make it happen.
If you could make one change to UK tax law or practice, what would it be?
I would like HMRC to review the way it communicates with taxpayers. Correspondence from HMRC often looks too ‘legalese’ and focuses attention on the consequences of non-compliance, instilling fear in the recipient. The engagement HMRC needs with the taxpayer in the new digital age will require it to understand and manage its brand with the general public. Softening its language to drive cooperation and understanding will go a very long way in this endeavour. Whilst I accept that cases of persistent non-compliance require a more heavy-handed approach, the starting point must be that the vast majority of the UK taxpaying public want to get things right and pay the taxes they are required to under the law.
Comment on a recent trend in tax.
It is clear that the current level of targeting by HMRC to seek more out of the existing tax system, in light of the ‘triple lock’ on tax rates, is driving an adversarial culture – which, in the longer term, will do more harm than good.
The trend to give HMRC yet more powers and penalties is something I would like to see stopped or even reversed, but I admit I am an eternal optimist!
Aside from your immediate colleagues, whom in tax do you most admire?
I have huge admiration for Anthony Thomas, who commits a vast amount of time and energy in his role as chairman of the CIOT’s Low Incomes Tax Reform Group. I wish him well in his impending year as master of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers.
What advice would you give to someone new to the profession?
Be proactive with your career. Don’t sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen to you; be a driver and advocate of change, so that you can help shape the future. Positively embrace the new digital age as opposed to becoming a victim of it.
Tell us a secret.
I was asked recently what my ideal job was when I was leaving school. That was easy: I wanted to be the conductor of one of the top London orchestras. The ability to drive and nurture the talents and egos of high-performing and highly-strung musicians has a huge attraction. Classical music is my first love in life, with tax a close second of course!
You are the current CIOT president. What do you hope to achieve during your term in office?
I am keen to build a much higher level of trust and transparency between HMRC and the tax profession and, in turn, the taxpayer community. I applaud the government’s digital agenda, and I think we could be on the brink of a true revolution in the administration and collection of taxes. Anything that provides a higher degree of engagement by the citizen with their tax affairs – which this undoubtedly will for some, but not all in society – has my vote.
However, the piece that requires more focus and attention is the role of the tax agent. Even given the attempts of the PAC and the media to do down the tax adviser, the relationship that agents have with their clients is based on the very trust and transparency that HMRC needs to build to make the new digital tax account work effectively. Recognising the role agents can and should play in this new world is critical. In the words of David Cameron, ‘we are all in this together’ – so all sides should work together to make it happen.
If you could make one change to UK tax law or practice, what would it be?
I would like HMRC to review the way it communicates with taxpayers. Correspondence from HMRC often looks too ‘legalese’ and focuses attention on the consequences of non-compliance, instilling fear in the recipient. The engagement HMRC needs with the taxpayer in the new digital age will require it to understand and manage its brand with the general public. Softening its language to drive cooperation and understanding will go a very long way in this endeavour. Whilst I accept that cases of persistent non-compliance require a more heavy-handed approach, the starting point must be that the vast majority of the UK taxpaying public want to get things right and pay the taxes they are required to under the law.
Comment on a recent trend in tax.
It is clear that the current level of targeting by HMRC to seek more out of the existing tax system, in light of the ‘triple lock’ on tax rates, is driving an adversarial culture – which, in the longer term, will do more harm than good.
The trend to give HMRC yet more powers and penalties is something I would like to see stopped or even reversed, but I admit I am an eternal optimist!
Aside from your immediate colleagues, whom in tax do you most admire?
I have huge admiration for Anthony Thomas, who commits a vast amount of time and energy in his role as chairman of the CIOT’s Low Incomes Tax Reform Group. I wish him well in his impending year as master of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers.
What advice would you give to someone new to the profession?
Be proactive with your career. Don’t sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen to you; be a driver and advocate of change, so that you can help shape the future. Positively embrace the new digital age as opposed to becoming a victim of it.
Tell us a secret.
I was asked recently what my ideal job was when I was leaving school. That was easy: I wanted to be the conductor of one of the top London orchestras. The ability to drive and nurture the talents and egos of high-performing and highly-strung musicians has a huge attraction. Classical music is my first love in life, with tax a close second of course!
