Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT)

PCRT sets out the principles and standards of behaviour that all members and students must follow in their tax work. It has a digital structure to make it easier to navigate. The current edition is effective from 1 January 2023. This includes some minor editorial changes and can be found here.

PCRT now consists of the fundamental principles and the standards for tax planning.

PCRT is supported by supplementary help sheets (which replace Parts 3 and 4 of the 2017 edition of PCRT).

In this latest update, the fundamental principles and standards have not changed. The help sheets represent guidance designed to help members apply the Fundamental Principles and Standards in their tax work. While not mandatory a member in a disciplinary case may be asked to explain why they did not follow the help sheet guidance. For example, a case might be brought against a member under the fundamental principle of Integrity. As part of the investigation by the disciplinary body the member could be asked to explain why, as recommended in the ‘Dealing with errors’ help sheet, they had not advised their client to make good the tax underpayment which they had identified in the client’s tax affairs.

From 1st June 2020 PCRT is also supported by topical guidance as follows: