CIOT on HMRC's new charter

Date: 21st July 2009

The Chartered Institute of Taxation has welcomed HMRC's publication of its response to a recent public consultation on a new Charter.

Having long urged the government department to implement a taxpayers' charter so as to better assist unrepresented parties with their tax-related issues, CIOT tax policy director John Whiting has expressed his delight at the release of this latest "workable and useful document".

He said: "The new draft Charter is very much in line with the CIOT's recommendations and represents a huge improvement over the version published for comment in February.

"Consultation and a lot of hard work on all sides has got us there."

He added, however, that the CIOT is still keen to see the name of the document revised to simply Taxpayers' Charter, though acknowledged that some degree of compromise is needed on the issue.

Earlier this month, the professional body similarly welcomed the government's announcement that it is to implement changes to the rules restricting tax relief for pensions contributions made by those earning in excess of £150,000 per year.