HMRC powers worrying for taxpayers
By Tom Carnegie, 6 Dec 17
Concern has been raised about the lack of effective safeguards in place for taxpayers, as HM Revenue and Customs continues to develop broader powers to seek payments.
Not up to standard
The lack of focus of the new powers means that other safeguards in the tax system take on greater importance but are inadequate.
“The lack of focus of the new powers, coupled with the absence of ordinary appeal rights, means that taxpayers must rely upon such other independent safeguards as the system offers,” the report says.
“These are currently judicial review, the Adjudicator, the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Tax Assurance Commissioner.
“None of these is a satisfactory response to the new powers; each has its inadequacies,” it says.
Tags: HMRC
