Ask ICAS | Should tax advisers be regulated, and if so who by?

HMRC has long had concerns about the standards of some tax practitioners – and the words of the Financial Secretary in the foreword to an open call for evidence are chilling ‘….Some advisers are incompetent, some unprofessional, a few actively corrupt.’

What is the government likely to do about this? Our panel discuss the thorny topic, outline the perceived problems, potential options, and the ICAS proposed policy positions on standards, greater reliance on professional body self-regulation, and an affiliate scheme.