CIOT: Don’t leave unrepresented taxpayers behind, warn LITRG

Monday, 19 September 2011 5:13 PM

In its response to HMRC’s ‘Tax Agent Strategy’ consultation, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has said that, while giving taxpayers’ agents direct access to their clients’ records held on HMRC systems, along with the facility to make adjustments, HMRC must ensure that unrepresented taxpayers are not left behind. Robin Williamson, LITRG Technical Director, said: “Passing functions to tax agents which only HMRC can carry out at present will generate cost savings for HMRC. 

These savings must be reinvested in improvements to customer service from which all taxpayers, represented or unrepresented, may benefit. One very worthwhile improvement would be to give all taxpayers ‘view only’ access to their tax data and a fast-track facility to contact HMRC to report changes. "In addition to accredited tax agents, there are many others who seek to help people with their tax, within both the voluntary sector and the general public.

Such informal agents often find it difficult to contact or deal with HMRC on behalf of those whom they are helping. HMRC are working hard to remove such obstacles and LITRG applauds and encourages their efforts. “HMRC’s welcome funding of training programmes for voluntary sector helpers should be extended to match the growing importance of that sector in society. “Implementing all this should lead to improved accuracy in HMRC’s data and, in turn, greater efficiency in the tax system. Further cost savings should follow from this.”

John Andrews OBE, Chairman of LITRG, added: “This tax agent strategy is not an alternative to dealing with poor service levels at HMRC call centres and delays in responding to correspondence. What most taxpayers need is access to knowledgeable HMRC officials who can deal with their tax queries and requests promptly and accurately.”

Notes to editors

1. LITRG’s submission can be read in full at: http://www.litrg.org.uk/submissions/2011/tax-agents

2. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) to give a voice to the unrepresented. Since 1998 LITRG has been working to improve the policy and processes of the tax, tax credits and associated welfare systems for the benefit of those on low incomes.

3. The CIOT is a charity and the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT’s primary purpose is to promote education and study of the administration and practice of taxation. One of the key aims is to achieve a better, more efficient, tax system for all affected by it – taxpayers, advisers and the authorities.

The CIOT’s 15,600 members have the practising title of ‘Chartered Tax Adviser’ and the designatory letters ‘CTA’. - ENDS - George Crozier
External Relations Manager

D: +44 (0)20 7340 0569
M: +44 (0)7740 477374The Chartered Institute of Taxation
Registered charity number 1037771
www.tax.org.uk

The Association of Taxation Technicians
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Registered company number 2418331
VAT Registration Number 497 5390 90
www.att.org.uk

Low Incomes Tax Reform Group - an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation
www.litrg.org.uk

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