Agent Update February 2008 Issue four - HMRC Service
Clearances
Latest information on the
Clearances pilot
View the latest information on the pilot concerning business customers who
seek HMRC’s view of the tax consequences of commercially significant
transactions.
Customer Relations Managers
Agent telephone service –
pilot launched in four processing offices
For agents in and around Cardiff, Newcastle, Manchester and Glasgow, view
details of the first, staged rollout of this telephone ‘concierge’
service.
Doing Business with HMRC
Get authorisation to act on a client’s
behalf
View our guide on how to gain client authorisation for the different services
we offer.
Events
HMRC events for Tax Agents (PDF 103K)
View details of 2008 events, including Online Services Roadshows, and EmployerTalk
events.
PAYE & NICs
Latest Employer CD-ROM to offer new
Expenses/Benefits guidance
View details of the February 2008 Employer CD-ROM, which includes a significantly
enhanced Expenses & Benefits section, including an A-Z quick guide and
comprehensive advice.
New Employer Bulletin published
View the latest payroll updates and information in the online version of the
publication.
PAYE & Self Assessment
Improvements announced to
Contact Centre services for Agents
Agents will benefit from the ongoing rollout of Agent Dedicated Lines to replace
the existing agent priority lines. East Kilbride and Bradford areas already
receive the new service, which provides priority routing to experienced advisers/technicians
and improved handovers.
Self Assessment
Returns filed 1 February treated as on time
HMRC’s Self Assessment online filing service enabled a record number
of customers to file their tax returns online this year. By 5pm on 1 February
2008, nearly 3.8 million online returns had been received.
There were some problems with the service on 31 January and 1 February. Once the system was up and running again it performed satisfactorily and by midnight on 31 January 204,000 returns had been received – a record for any day. The majority of online returns were unaffected but some users experienced delays and difficulties in accessing the system and obviously we take any service disruption very seriously – especially on deadline day.
We have consistently said that nobody will be unfairly penalised for filing late due to problems with HMRC systems close to the deadline. All returns filed on 1 February will therefore be treated as filed on time.
Transfer pricing
New approach to transfer pricing
work
View details of the new approach to transfer pricing enquiries which involves
greater specialisation and teamwork, and a focus on issues of higher risk.
Working Together
January 2008 edition
View the latest publication, including information on the improved telephone
services to agents.
‘What's New’
View the latest agent-related issues to be raised.
