The new draft of the proposed HMRC Charter is 'less than tax professionals hoped, but much better than we feared', according to tax disputes expert Rupert Shiers.
HMRC’s mooted taxpayers’ charter has prompted extreme reactions from tax experts – both in favour and against the document, which was published in draft form last week.
HMRC is to set up a new joint forum with representatives from the private sector to oversee the implementation of the legislative outcomes of the review of the taxman's powers, deterrents and safeguards.
The Pre-Budget Report is likely to include draft legislation on new HMRC powers covering penalties for late payment and interest charges on outstanding tax, according to KPMG Europe’s head of tax.
A new taxpayers’ charter is ‘very necessary’ and should have its basis in law, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has said. In its response to the Government consultation A New Charter for HMRC and its Customers, the LITRG has called for a system that mainly focuses on the rights of taxpayers.
New HMRC powers proposed in the Finance Bill could lead to ‘the end of self assessment and the enquiry window as we know it’, barrister Keith M Gordon has warned.
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