TaxSource Total

Here you can access relevant source documents which support the summaries of key tax developments in Ireland, the UK and internationally

Source documents include:

  • Chartered Accountants Ireland’s representations and submissions
  • published documents by the Irish Revenue, UK HMRC, EU Commission and OECD
  • other government documents

The source documents are displayed per year, per month, by jurisdiction and by title

ICAI responds to HMRC data loss

The following is a press release issued by the ICAI: “The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) has responded to the loss of confidential taxpayer data by HMRC in recent weeks.

It has now been officially announced that two password protected discs containing a full copy of HMRC's entire data in relation to the payment of child benefit have been lost in transit between HMRC and the National Audit Office. The missing information contains details of all child benefit recipients: records for 25 million individuals and 7.25 million families. These records include the recipient and their children's names, addresses and dates of birth, it includes Child Benefit numbers, National Insurance Numbers, and, where relevant, bank or building society account details.

“We understand that the missing records are comprehensive. Because they concern such comprehensive personal information, the missing records could offer criminals considerable opportunity for identity theft and other forms of fraud” said the Chairperson of the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants, Angela Reavey.

Though the Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated that there is no evidence, as yet, of the misappropriation or misuse of the missing information, normal good practice in relation to checking bank accounts is now even more important. In common with our fellow Chartered Accountants in the UK, ICAI suggests:

  • Check bank statements relating to accounts into which child benefit is being paid thoroughly and regularly.
  • Any entries relating to organisations you do not normally deal with should be verified immediately.
  • In some instances, child benefit is paid directly into an account held by the child, and these accounts should not be overlooked.
  • We urge the reporting of any evidence of identity fraud both to the financial institution concerned and to the relevant police authority.

According to Brian Keegan, ICAI Director of Taxation, “We note how seriously the matter is rightly being taken, as evidenced by the resignation of the HMRC Chairman and the extensive efforts being made to recover the data. We hope that, if any good can come from this unfortunate incident, it will be to reinforce in the minds of government agencies the sensitive and private nature of the information they handle as routine. Good practices and procedures in dealing with personal data can only be sustained by a culture of respect for the citizen and their circumstances”.”