Taxing start to the New Year

 

Turner Peachey claims that on January 3, it was reported in the national media that HMRC had responded positively to pressure from both the Federation of Small Businesses and MPs by proceeding with ‘a limited number of Business Records Checks pilots’, whilst a further strategic review takes place.

 

In a statement, HMRC said: ‘The purpose of the review is to consider the overall aims of Business Records Checks, examine whether the current approach is the best way of achieving the policy objectives, and identify what changes are needed to ensure that the objectives are achieved.’

 

Turner Peachey says that HMRC was acting after receiving criticism of the burden it has been placing on small businesses with the launch of its Business Records Check initiative, against a backdrop of a sluggish economy and alleged big business ‘sweetheart deals’ with the likes of Goldman Sachs and Vodafone.

 

However the Turner Peachey, who have offices in Welshpool, says its own our fee protection provider, Abbey Tax has contacted the HMRC Coleraine office and discovered the reality was very different.

 

“The Unit at HMRC Coleraine makes the appointments and co-ordinates all of the Business Records Checks across the UK for the 120 dedicated staff and, as far as that office is concerned, it is business as usual,” said a Turner Peachey spokesperson.

 

“We understand an internal HMRC email was sent to the team at Coleraine, drawing attention to the national statement, but that it did not instruct that any fewer visits should be booked. The Business Records Checks target is for 12,000 visits to be conducted by the end of this tax year; hardly a ‘limited number’ of ‘pilots’!

 

“Furthermore, it is understood that the Coleraine Unit has been visited within the last couple of weeks by an HMRC Head Office team, to see how the Unit is performing and to check on progress towards the target.”

 

Turner Peachey said that if anyone receives something from the Revenue that they are unsure of or have any queries, then contact them on enquiries@turner-peachey.co.uk