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Ethical issue

26 October 2006
Issue: 4081 / Categories: Forum & Feedback

I am experiencing problems with my tax practitioner employer on the subject of putting right incorrect tax returns. It is my belief that on discovering an error with a return, made for whatever reason but leading to an understatement of tax, we should seek authority from the client to tell HMRC and, once authority is given, take matters up with them. If the client refuses to sanction our correcting the returns, I believe that we should resign from the appointment.

I am experiencing problems with my tax practitioner employer on the subject of putting right incorrect tax returns. It is my belief that on discovering an error with a return made for whatever reason but leading to an understatement of tax we should seek authority from the client to tell HMRC and once authority is given take matters up with them. If the client refuses to sanction our correcting the returns I believe that we should resign from the appointment.
My employer says that it is not necessary to tell HMRC about the previous returns and that it is only necessary to make sure that future returns are correct. He maintains that only if a tax enquiry is opened is there any necessity to admit that previous returns are incorrect.
I know he is wrong but my question is what must I do? I...

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