Despite the ongoing PR spin coming forth from the HMRC bunker that all is well, and that things are improving, reality appears not to be quite so rosy.
UHY Hacker Young report that the number of resignations by senior managers at HMRC has ‘jumped sharply’ during the year to 31 March 2012, increasing by 45% when compared to the previous year.
Despite the fact that HMRC desperately needs to retain experienced professionals (especially during a time of massive upheaval and change), 42 senior managers resigned during this period.
Roy Maugham, tax partner, is quoted by Tax Journal:
"The loss of senior management from HMRC could impact many others in the organisation too.HMRC appear not to be worried, their spokesperson said:
It’s important for HMRC to hang on to its most experienced staff and their in-depth technical skills. With big cuts to staffing numbers and a sharp increase in resignations, there are a lot of skills walking out of the door at HMRC."
"Overall, resignations at HMRC have fallen over the last four years and, in a department of around 68,000 staff, it is inevitable that some will decide to leave or retire.
HMRC is committed to providing stability and good service to our customers. We have already increased the accuracy of tax codes to 98%, announced the recruitment of an extra 1,000 people to answer the phones, and increased tax yield year-on-year."There is of course a solution, albeit an expensive one. In the private sector when people retire or are made redundant, many invariably come back as consultants (at a higher rate of pay and cost).
How can this be, if the redundancies were made to reduce headcount?
Simples....consultants don't appear on the headcount!
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 Taxwise.
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 TAXWISE?
TAXWISE 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 Taxwise
Tax Investigation for Dummies, by Nick Morgan, provides a good and easy to read guide for anyone caught up in an HMRC tax investigation. A must read for any Self Assessment taxpayer.
Click the link to read about: Tax Investigation for Dummies
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"
Having long ago stopped believing anything HMRC says, anything they say is a lie, smoke and mirrors, or simply not true, I would like to know what the current numbers are for management resignations, then what are the numbers for increased early retirements etc?
ReplyDeleteThe turnover of staff in a business, when understood correctly, is a fair reflection of the state of the business.
Of course, when you are simply playing with customers money and don't give a fig what does it matter?
Come on Margaret Hodge, now would be a good time to put the IPCC in there!
A better question would be how many staff have taken partial retirement as they can't afford to leave during a recession but can't stomach working for HMRC full time any more.
ReplyDelete