The department has published a communications pack for agents explaining the change, which it says is designed to drive forward HMRC’s digital agenda and will enable it to make subject matter experts available online, reach more agents and save resources for both HMRC and agents.

HMRC began discussing the move to digital WT last autumn. Feedback from agents at the time suggested they welcomed the opportunity to get up to date, consistent information faster via an online service, which will also track all exchanges.

However, concerns were raised about the security of the service, possible incompatibility between agent, client and HMRC software, and data usage costs.

Following feedback from the WT strategic group, which was made up of HMRC and representatives from the biggest tax professional bodies, HMRC says it will now develop a regional framework with a named, dedicated contact. 

Each region will hold digital meetings that are jointly hosted by HMRC and agents; have standard agendas to update WT issues plus other items which agents and HMRC jointly agree should be included; and which will also enable regions to discuss specific issues or topics with the subject matter expert joining.

The new digital WT meetings will be open to all agents, who will have the options of joining all WT meetings during the year or just those hosted by their region.

The department says face to face meetings will continue to be held ‘where there is a need’, giving the example of workshops on business issues and agent strategy, but the main WT focus is now digital. HMRC will also look for opportunities to support agent sponsored events.

HMRC says it also intends to develop and test other digital channels including an online formal forum to raise possible widespread issues, an informal forum for agents to ask questions which can be answered  by fellow agents and HMRC, and social media such as LinkedIn as a way of interacting with HMRC.

There are to be two digital meetings Ii July and August giving agents the opportunity to discuss the details of WT, and HMRC says the professional bodies and the GOV.UK site will shortly be providing more details of how the rolling programme of WT meetings will roll out.

HMRC says agent feedback and questions should be sent to [email protected] marking the subject heading ‘WT in a digital age’.

The WT communications pack is available here

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