New plans for taxpayers' charter

HMRC is to begin the process of working with interested parties on the development of a taxpayers' charter.

The announcement has been welcomed in the tax sector, with the CIOT calling it 'an important welcome acknowledgement of what we have been campaigning for'.

The organisation's president, Rob Ellerby, said: 'The CIOT has long argued that a taxpayers' charter is necessary in the UK. With the ongoing wide-ranging review and development of HMRC's powers, a charter which collates safeguards is a key balance in the tax system.'

Last year, the CIOT commissioned a research paper on the development of a charter, outlining how it might be developed and expressed.

The new charter proposed by HMRC - which has published a summary of responses to last year's consultation on taxpayers' safeguards - will set out both taxpayer rights and responsibilities in a single accessible document.

Taxation editor Mike Truman was another to welcome the proposal to develop a taxpayers' charter.

He remarked: 'Taxation has always supported the CIOT's campaign, and we are delighted to see the need for it acknowledged by government.

'A clear and effective charter is an essential element in creating a fair tax system and in balancing the necessary powers given to HMRC with rights given to taxpayers.'

Jane Kennedy, financial secretary to the Treasury, and acting HMRC chairman Dave Hartnett also added their voices to the chorus of approval.

Ms Kennedy commented: 'The Government is committed to ensuring that the tax system is useable and accessible, and a taxpayers' charter will provide a good reference point for taxpayers.

And Mr Hartnett said: 'Making sure that taxpayers' rights are properly protected, [while] providing HMRC with the powers needed to ensure that today's tax system is properly administered, are key HMRC commitments. This is what… the taxpayers' charter [is] about'.

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