HMRC gets full marks (and then some) for putting out a podcast series that provides an insight into how they work and ‘what lies behind.’
Courtesy of AccountingWeb, I found a podcast Q&A with Dave Hartnett about how HMRC has responded to the ‘interventions’ fiasco. Heavily scripted and edited, this is a fast paced piece I thoroughly recommend that should provide professional comfort. It also sets an important benchmark.
I’ve taken the liberty of giving it the Veotag treatment.
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Interesting interview, I know from one of our CTAs that the view from HMRC is one of wanting their front line staff to also walk the walk, which isn’t happening.
A few interesting things came out of this interview, firstly, Working Together I was approached some time ago (a few years ago) to join the local one and I duly sent the email off with all my details – no contact was made with me. So I guess working together isn’t about working with some of us at all?
Dave Hartnett says ‘Willingness of agents to talk to HMRC more than before’ I personally resent that, most of us have never had a problem talking to HMRC, in fact for speed we prefer it, its always been the other way round, in so far as when you do all you get is a party line without any willingness the see more than one side, theirs! And this really doesn’t help, most of us are only trying to help our clients to succeed in business and ensure they meet their obligations under tax legislation and all the other legislation they are strangled by!
I also dislike the use of the word ‘customer’ this implies a choice, after all a customer can choose where to spend their money, not so with taxes, so please lets drop the customer bit they aren’t they are ‘tax payers’!
Sorry if I sound negative here Den, in my eyes HMRC have a very long way to go, we use CTAs for all things tax now, firstly because tax is very complex (this is not HMRCs fault) and secondly HMRC now appears to be applying its own interpretation/view of tax law, so more than ever before you now need to use specialists who really do know the actual law and its application.
One thing he does acknowledge, without Agents, Self Assessment will not work, maybe with more accountants leaving the profession and more looking into it HMRC have realized without us they are screwed!
But far more worrying than any of this is all the new powers HMRC are now getting and will get under the finance act. The question is will the UK really a good place to do 'small' business in the future?
Give them credit for trying…
I will, like every other practitioner, wait and see …
I meant to say Den I like the Veotag treatment, but rather than skip to any part in particular I found it focused my attention from just listens to some of it to actually paying attention especially when the ‘What’s in it for agents?’ bit came up!