Palmer chairs Revenue & Customs advisory group

Brian Palmer, MD of Bournemouth based Palmer & Co, has become Chairman of the Working Together e-group which has been set up to work alongside HMRC in order to help monitor the expansion of e-filing of tax returns as recommended in Lord Carter’s recent review*.

The group is actively ensuring that e-filing measures are not implemented until they are ready to roll, and have the remit to oppose HMRC if they believe that their proposals are unworkable.

One of the major aims of the project is to end the filing of hard copy forms. However in order to be able to compel practitioners to do this HMRC must first close some of the holes in its current system and resolve any software problems.

Brian says ‘There are many issues that need to be addressed before this system can be fully implemented. The e-group is passionate about the fact that before new electronic systems are implemented they must be complete, robust and fit for purpose, something that Lord Carter alluded to in his report. As President of the Association of Accounting Technicians I am able to call on the expertise of practitioners from throughout the industry who can give insights into the potential pitfalls and problems that may be missed by HMRC’.

As part of the process the Working Group has put together a web based survey to poll the opinions of members of the representative organisations. Brian goes on to say ‘the survey should be an early warning system for HMRC of potential problems and it will be interesting to see the results’.

ENDS

Editors Notes: * 22nd March 2006 saw the publication of Lord Carter of Coles' Review of HMRC Online Services, which concludes that well-designed online services can bring benefits to taxpayers and the Government. The Government has welcomed his report, which is based on wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders, and accepted the recommendations.
The recommendations will come into effect in stages from 2008 onwards subject to the right services being in place, giving HMRC, businesses, agents and taxpayers time to prepare for implementation. The smallest unincorporated existing businesses, that do not have employees, will not be required to file online until at least 2012.
Lord Carter has recognised that HMRC will need to work closely with customers and software developers on implementation and on putting together communication materials for groups affected by the recommendations, and the department will begin that work today, setting up initial discussions over the next few months.
The Working Together e-group was set up about two years ago to work alongside HMRC, about the same time as Lord Carters work began.
Palmer & Co have been established since 1994 offering solutions for the preparation of accounts, taxation as well as business advisory and support services to a wide range of small and medium sized enterprises.
Brian Palmer of Bournemouth based Accountants, Palmer & Co, became the new President of the Association of Accounting Technicians on 19 May 2006. A member of the council since 2000 Brian’s last role as vice-president saw him playing a key part in the signing of a Reciprocal Membership Arrangement with the Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians' (HKIAAT).


For press enquiries please contact Sarah at Evolve on 01202 665777 or email at sarah@time2evolve.co.uk