The latest round up of developments in tax, HMRC service and consultations for accountants and tax professionals is now available. This Agent Update edition features information on the declaration of offshore income or gains when completing Self-Assessment tax returns for 2011–12, and an update on the extension to the single compliance process trials. Links are also included to publications including the latest updates for employers, Working Together, pensions, VAT, trusts and estates.

HMRC also advise that following the rollout of the first phase of scanning capability for incoming mail, training and planning is now being undertaken for the next phase.

An extension of the Business Records Checks programme has also been announced. This involves checks on the adequacy of small and medium-sized enterprises’ records. In HMRC's view the pilot programme found that approximately 44% of businesses have ‘problems with record keeping’, while approximately 12% have ‘seriously inadequate records’. As a result, HMRC are now extending this activity to cover key areas across the UK.

The latest Agent Update is available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/agents/update26.pdf