Tuesday 11 October 2011

Calling All Agents



Michael Izza, the CEO of the ICAEW, has issued a public call for tax agent firms to allow HMRC staff to come and see what it is like at the "coal face" and visit the firms to observe procedures etc. HMRC have assured the ICAEW that there are no risks to the firms (or the clients of the firms) if they allow HMRC staff to come and visit.

Here is the full text of Michale Izza's call for help:

"Mike Clasper, Chairman of HMRC, spoke at the ICAEW Council meeting last week about what HMRC is doing to address the service problems that it faces.

He told us he is concerned that while HMRC’s performance statistics are showing some signs of improvement, this is not being reflected ‘on the ground’ and that the experiences of our members do not bear this out. Mike explained why this might be the case.

He told us he wants to see real improvements in service standards.

So Mike asked if HMRC staff could visit tax agent firms and see for themselves what it is like from our side of the fence.

Mike has staff ready to do this and would like to get started straight away so I would like to ask you whether you would be willing to let HMRC staff come into your firm for a period of time so they can see first-hand the problems we have to deal with? 

Mike has assured us that the purpose of this exercise is solely for HMRC staff to see exactly what it is like from our side of the fence so that we can help them make improvements – this will be confirmed before any visits are made so there should be no risks about client confidentiality nor questions being raised about your firm’s procedures and processes.

A good number of firms have already volunteered but we would like some more to come forward. If you are interested please get in touch.

I am taking a personal interest in this HMRC initiative and would ask you to take this opportunity to help improve the tax system.

I look forward to hearing from you."     

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3 comments:

  1. I've had enough and I want out!11 October 2011 at 11:12

    Service problems? HMRC got rid of everyone who knew what they were doing, replaced them with automations that read from computer screens with no knowledge or interest in what they do.

    We are at the stage where we now have to complain about the lack of attention to our original complaint.

    Oh and HMRC's computer system STILL cannot handle CT after 31st March 2011, so the obligatory online filing cannot happen.

    The service is a joke, it's administrators inept and it's prisoners (not customers - cutomers have a choice) vexed.

    Our glorious leaders should set it right instead of awarding massive consultancy and service contracts to their chums.

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  2. Demonstrates that HMRC management are not aware of the issues within their own organisation, also that they are not in control of their organisation.

    This is just another waste of time, another public relations exercise that will reveal issues already known about but covered-up within HMRC.

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  3. Others have to step in and try and sort the mess out.
    My advice to Mr Izza is to stay well clear of the Shitness.

    Clasper sounds like a right Spiff, who could be gone this time 6 months or next year.

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