HMRC | Chartered Institute of Taxation

Welcome relief as late-filing penalties waived until March

By Hamant Verma on 25 January 2021

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) have welcomed today’s announcement from HMRC that self-assessment late-filing penalties will be waived for returns filed before 1 March.

Peers want stronger action on scheme promoters, but question the evidence base for new tax checks and information powers

By Hamant Verma on 21 December 2020

A new report from a House of Lords committee draws on CIOT evidence to make recommendations on new HMRC compliance and anti-avoidance powers.

Lords report highlights Institute concerns over HMRC powers safeguards

By George Crozier on 21 December 2020

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has welcomed a House of Lords report which encourages the Government to take tough action against a remaining ‘hard core’ of promoters of tax avoidance schemes, while ensuring new powers are carefully targeted and do not impact on mainstream advisers.

Compulsory insurance, not regulation, the way to tackle avoidance scheme promoters, says HMRC chief

By Hamant Verma on 11 December 2020

The House of Commons Treasury Committee held a session on HMRC’s Annual Report on Monday 7 December. The witnesses were HMRC CEO Jim Harra, Penny Ciniewicz, Director General, Head of Customer Compliance at HMRC and Jonathan Russell CB, Interim CEO, Valuation Office Agency.

Taxpayers urged to file tax returns in January and rely on HMRC to rectify matters afterwards

By Hamant Verma on 20 November 2020

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held a meeting on Monday 16 November 2020 with HMRC officials Jim Harra (Chief Executive), Angela MacDonald (Deputy Chief Executive) and Justin Holliday (Chief Finance Officer). The meeting was PAC’s annual look at HMRC’s Standard Report and the department’s annual report and accounts.

Judicial review and the accessibility of tax justice

By Contributor on 10 June 2020

In a guest blog, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group volunteer and author Robin Williamson MBE explains why judicial review is too often out of reach for ordinary taxpayers, and proposes a role for the First-tier Tribunal in making it more accessible.

MPs question HMRC on scope of Job Retention Scheme

By CIOT External Relations Team on 8 April 2020

The Treasury Select Committee met remotely today (Wednesday 8 April) to take evidence from HMRC on the economic impact of coronavirus. The witnesses were Jim Harra, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HMRC, and Cerys McDonald, Director of HMRC’s COVID-19 policy co-ordination. Mel Stride, Conservative, is chair of the committee.

HMRC pay and conditions in the spotlight at MPs hearing

By Hamant Verma on 25 October 2019

MPs on the Treasury Committee have questioned HMRC bosses about the organisations’ culture, pay and conditions, as well as customer service levels, its approach to debt collection and the implementation of the 2019 loan charge. Inevitably the department’s Brexit preparations also loomed large at the hearing.

HMRC chiefs face annual grilling from Public Accounts Committee

By Hamant Verma on 25 October 2019

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee question HMRC chiefs about the tax gap, Making Tax Digital, the role of tax agents, the loan charge and – of course – Brexit.

MPs set out recommendations on handling tax disputes

By Hamant Verma on 14 August 2019

A House of Commons Committee has said that HMRC must do more to support vulnerable taxpayers involved in tax disputes, after taking oral and written evidence from CIOT and LITRG and others.