Post by The Law Society

Solicitors, don’t get caught out by the government’s mandatory tax adviser registration ⬇️ The Finance Act has passed, with implications for a range of practice areas including conveyancing, private client and tax.  If your firm contacts HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about a client’s tax matters and you’re paid for that work, HMRC will require you to register for an agent services account. Only limited exemptions apply, so you will most likely need to register if you:  - File Stamp Duty Land Tax returns  - Submit inheritance tax forms  - Deal with tax elements in family or private client matters  - Use HMRC systems on a client’s behalf for any tax-related process With registration now going ahead, we’re pushing for HMRC to clarify the new rules and ensure they’re workable. We’re especially concerned HMRC isn’t doing enough to inform our members about what they need to do to prepare. HMRC has published some general guidance, including the list of exemptions. Further guidance is promised before May. However, most solicitors are still in the dark about how registration could affect them. Get our view on tax adviser registration from our policy adviser, Charlotte Garvey: https://ow.ly/rPmI50Yywgq