New Relationship Between Agents and HMRC Moves Closer

The HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) agent strategy moved a step closer today with the publication of responses to the consultation ‘Establishing the future relationship between the tax agent community and HMRC’.

Key recommendations are that HMRC:

• Pilots an 'agent enrolment process' involving a wide range of volunteer agents in late spring 2012, with a view to starting full enrolment in 2013
• Creates a 'learning lab' from Spring 2012, working with a representative group of agents to focus on understanding what information, access and services make a real difference to the customer experience and how they might best be designed
• Consults further in 2012 on standards, oversight of the agent community and the role of any proposed independent body or advisory group to the Commissioners.

A separate document on the responses to a consultation on tackling dishonest tax agents was also published today.

HMRC’s Head of Employer and Agent Strategy, Brian Redford, said: “We’d like to thank those agents who took the time to respond to the consultation and let us have their views.

“We recognise that some concerns were expressed about some of our proposals and we acknowledge the calls for greater clarity. In some areas we will proceed at a slower rate to make sure we get things right and we will continue to work closely with agents and the professional bodies as we take this work forward.

“The work we have already set in train on improving HMRC’s service standards will continue alongside the Agent Strategy. “

The summary of responses can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/march2011/draft-tax-finance-bill-2012.htm#6