Events for agents and advisers

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) offers a range of opportunities for agents and advisers to get advice and support to make doing business as an agent easier. Some events are formal, while others are more relaxed - but all offer a chance for face-to-face contact where you can ask HMRC staff questions, or tell them about your concerns.

Some events are designed specifically for agents and advisers, such as local Working Together meetings. Other more general events, such as Business Advice Open Days and EmployerTalk sessions, can provide help and support for your business or your clients.

And, of course, a wide range of third parties, such as representative bodies or commercial providers, offer other workshops, seminars, networking events and training programmes. This guide will show you what HMRC-organised events may be of interest and how to get involved, as well as links to events organised by professional bodies and commercial providers.

On this page:

Local Working Together meetings
Business Advice Open Days
EmployerTalk
Learning Together events
Finding other events for agents and advisers

Local Working Together meetings

Local Working Together meetings provide you with an opportunity to get your voice heard by HMRC. Working Together is a national partnership between the main professional bodies representing tax agents, advisers and HMRC that provides opportunities for two-way feedback and creating better working practices.

Local meetings are an essential part of the partnership. Most local Working Together groups hold two or three meetings each year where attendees can openly discuss practical issues with HMRC representatives and each other.

Some groups hold large meetings that are open to all agents, but most meetings are attended by a maximum of two agents put forward by each representative body who ask for opinions and bring up issues from other members in the area.

All meetings have formal agendas and feedback is provided on any issues raised and problems solved.

Get details about local Working Together meetings in:

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Business Advice Open Days

If you're looking for practical business advice - for yourself or on behalf of your clients - you can get it at no cost at HMRC Business Advice Open Days.

Open days, held all over the UK, give you access to experts across a variety of business issues, from start-up advice and growth strategies to dealing with difficult times. Help is also available with complying with regulations in key areas such as health and safety, information technology, data protection, intellectual property (trade marks, patents and copyright) and environmental issues.

The line up depends on the size of the venue, but key national partners that you can speak to at many of the open days include:

Business Link
the Health and Safety Executive
the UK Intellectual Property Office
the Environment Agency
Jobcentre Plus

And, of course, as the events are organised by HMRC, help and advice is on hand for all business tax issues.

You'll need to register in advance and it's a good idea to book early to make sure of your place.

Get dates, locations and booking information for Business Advice Open Days (Opens new window)

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EmployerTalk

If you're handling PAYE (Pay As You Earn) for clients and you want to keep up to date with the latest developments and best practice, the EmployerTalk sessions are ideal for you.

EmployerTalk is a series of half day events held across the country that provide you with an opportunity to find out the latest news about payroll from short, formal presentations.

There are also opportunities for you to discuss specific queries with PAYE specialists in an informal and confidential environment. And if there's anything you want to tell HMRC about payroll - such as suggestions for improvements - they're there to listen.

The EmployerTalk sessions are free, but you need to book in advance.

Find and book an EmployerTalk session near you

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Learning Together

Learning Together is a series of half day learning events which bring together tax agents and advisers and operational HMRC staff to learn together in an informal and safe environment. The way HMRC manages compliance checks (also known as enquiries, visits and inspections) changed on 1 April 2009. If you deal with compliance checks for clients and you want to learn more about the changes and practical implications, the Learning Together events are ideal for you.

The free training sessions with HMRC staff will provide help and support to agents and will take place in October - November 2009 and February - March 2010. We expect demand will be high, so it's a good idea to book early to make sure of your place.

More information on Learning Together events

Find dates, locations and booking information for Learning Together events near you

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Finding other events for agents and advisers

There are many events of interest to agents across the country organised by professional bodies and commercial organisations. If you've got a specific information or training need, it's very likely there's a workshop, seminar or training course that will fit the bill.

The professional bodies for tax agents, accountants and advisers provide many useful events. Bear in mind though that you may only be able to attend some events if you're a member of the organising professional body.

Find details of events for agents organised by:

Association of Accounting Technicians (Opens new window)

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (Opens new window)

Association of Tax Technicians (Opens new window)

Chartered Institute of Taxation (Opens new window)

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (Opens new window)

You can also use Business Link's event finder to identify training, learning and networking opportunities of interest.

Business Link event finder (Opens new window)

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