HMRC cracks down on rogue repayment agents

HMRC is taking immediate action to clamp down on rogue repayment agents who entice taxpayers into agreements to reclaim overpaid tax while taking large commissions

In future, repayment agents will have to register with HMRC before they can act for clients and offer repayment claim services.

The HMRC standard for agents has also been updated to require greater transparency on the part of repayment agents, clearer evidence of customer consent and a 14-day cooling off period.

Most importantly, repayment agents will no longer be able to trap taxpayers in assignment agreements which are difficult to cancel. The new measure to render void assignments of income tax payments will require legislation.

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