HMRC Seeks Unfettered Access To Personal Financial Data

HMRC is seeking new powers that will allow it to obtain information about taxpayers from any business or organisation without seeking approval from the tax tribunal.

The proposals, set out in a government consultation launched this week, would allow HMRC to submit information requests directly to financial institutions, accountants, lawyers, estate agents and other third parties.

The consultation also proposes the introduction of a new “financial institution” information request, which would allow HMRC to obtain bank statements, transaction histories and other basic banking information “reasonably required to check a taxpayers’ tax position” without tribunal approval.

The FT quotes Jason Collins, partner at law firm Pinsent Masons:

“If anyone was alarmed at HMRC’s reach then these new powers will feed their concerns. HMRC is essentially asking for unfettered access to information on taxpayers from third parties with no advance independent oversight.” 

Obtaining prior consent from the tax tribunal was an essential check, he said, and helped safeguard taxpayers against speculative enquiries or “fishing expeditions”.

Tim Stovold, head of tax at accountants Kingston Smith, said:

“HMRC wants to remove the protection that ordinary citizens currently have from intrusion into their private financial affairs from the state . . . To abolish the need to seek authorisation from the tribunal would remove a vital public safeguard.” 

The state (especially HMRC) cannot be trusted, and as such any attempt by the state to gather data and information on people's private finances (when they have not been convicted of a crime) without adequate independent oversight should be resisted and stopped.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

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However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

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HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Avoid Suicidal Thoughts Out of Office Hours

Following calls from desperate contractors facing the loan charge tax demands, the Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) wrote to Jon Thompson on the 13th June, calling on HMRC to set up a 24-hour helpline for those facing suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety as a result of receiving unpayable demands and threatening letters from HMRC.

Unsurprisignly, HMRC took over three weeks to respond to the letter and then the reply came not from Thompson, but from Julie Elsey, the person at HMRC responsible not for mental health, but for Counter Avoidance.

Business Matters reports that Elsey’s letter offered to assist to “help people put their tax affairs right”. However, the advice is only available between 8:30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Alexa, HMRC and Tax Credits

HMRC  stated yesterday that it has launched new and "innovative" technology to help more than 3 million taxpayers renew their tax credits by 31 July.

HMRC has developed a customer-focused service through Amazon Alexa specifically for those seeking help with their tax credits renewals.

Taxpayers with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices can ask Alexa to ‘open HMRC’ and ask for help and information with a change of circumstances, payment information, or a renewal. No personal information is stored on Alexa and taxpayers cannot renew their tax credits using Alexa.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

We know our customers have hectic lives – full of interruptions and distractions – which is why HMRC’s online services are available at all times of the day and night.

As the 31 July deadline for tax credits renewals approaches, customers can feel reassured that they can renew their benefits online or via the HMRC App at a time that suits them.

And if they need to access help and support, Alexa can help customers find out about what to do when they receive a renewal pack, how to change their circumstances, or how to find out about payment information.

We’ve improved our services so customers can renew their tax credits at a time that’s convenient for them.

Online help and information on renewing tax credits is available on GOV.UK and via HMRC’s customer service Twitter feed @HMRCcustomers.

Support is also available on the tax credits helpline (0345 300 3900).

Further information

The deadline for people to renew their tax credits is 31 July 2018. Failure to renew before the deadline will mean payments are stopped and taxpayers may have to repay the money they have received since April.

If a taxpayer requests further information through an SMS, the mobile phone number is stored for 6 hours and then automatically deleted.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Passport Control - HMRC Takes Charge

Some HMRC staff have been given 10 days’ training and are now helping to check passports at Heathrow! Wonder what effect that will have on waiting times for tax enquiries? pic.twitter.com/jmYwCGLHgW

— Graham Hambly (@PQMagazine) July 9, 2018

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC Doesn't Want To Reform Emergency Pension Tax

BREAKING: HMRC resists calls to reform emergency tax on pension freedom withdrawals.

— Josephine Cumbo (@JosephineCumbo) July 5, 2018

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC Kills 20,000 Scam Websites

HMRC has said it significantly increased the number of scam websites targeted for closure during the 12 months to June as part of a war against online fraud.

HMRC said it had sought (and achieved) the deactivation of 20,750 “malicious” websites over the course of the year, an increase of 29% over the previous year.

It said the most common types of scam that it encountered were “tax refund” emails and text messages – intended to direct recipients to non-HMRC sites and collect a suite of personal information and bank details. Other purposes of such communications could be to install malicious software on devices.


Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"