The government today confirmed in the pre-Budget report that the Taxpayers' Charter will be going ahead. It announced that it will begin consulting in January on the wording, which follows a major consultation over this summer on the charter's scope. Describing it as a charter for HMRC, the government says in the PBR press release that it regards it as an important contribution to its relationship with individuals, businesses and tax agents. Commenting on the announcement, the CIOT welcomed the commitment that the charter should be in statute. The CIOT has been a long-term advocate for a taxpayers' charter to act as an important safeguard for taxpayers and a balance to the controversial extension of Revenue & Customs' powers coming out of the ongoing Revenue powers review. CIOT president Nick Goulding said: 'We are particularly pleased to hear that the Revenue has stated that the charter should be grounded in statute. This is vital to give it the proper authority.'