TaxSource Total

Here you can access summary of the key current tax developments in Ireland, the UK and internationally as reported by Chartered Accountants Ireland

The report of key tax developments are displayed per year, per month, by Ireland, the UK or International and by report title

HMRC’s Powers of Entry come under scrutiny

Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, each secretary of state must review the powers of entry they are responsible for, and report back to Parliament. This review, ordered by Chancellor of the Exchequer, examines the powers of entry held by HMRC.

In summary, HMRC reviewed 39 powers. Nine were found to belong to other departments or be powers to inspect rather than enter. HMRC will retain 25 of the 30 powers in their current form. All of these powers were previously reviewed after the merger in 2005, according to the report this further review has reaffirmed that they are still “proportionate and necessary”.

The review found five powers “where there is a clear case for modernisation and consolidation, including a number relating to betting and debt management”. These have been recommended for amendment which was proposed to take place by the end of 2014.