.png)
.png)
HMRC have suspended plans to gather the views of low-performing agents in an effort to improve the relationship between the taxman and tax professionals.
The end of this month had been earmarked for the launch of a pilot scheme involving Revenue visits to between 80 and 90 agents - all of whose clients' filing or payment performance for corporation tax and self assessment had been judged by the department as being of insufficient quality.
The initiative has been put on hold until further notice, following concerns from the representative bodies on the Joint Tax Agent Strategy Steering Group, and more time will be given to discussion of the matter.
The aim had been to hold collaborative meetings to discuss and understand what the 'agent view' was telling HMRC, to form an understanding of why some tax professionals’ dealings with the department are poorer than the rest.
Under the delayed plans, a controlled sample of agents would receive a letter offering the opportunity to discuss with an experienced agent-account manager the reasons why some clients fail to file returns or pay their taxes on time.
A visit would be arranged within 28 days of the letter’s date. It would not be a compliance meeting, and no client-specific matters would be discussed.
The ultimate intention of the plans was to bring together filing, payment and compliance data on HMRC systems to create a picture of an agent's engagement the Revenue, according to the department, which will provide another update when it is ready to start the pilot scheme.
