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Tax body welcomes new Executive Chair of HMRC

Tax body welcomes new Executive Chair of HMRC

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has welcomed the appointment of Edward Troup as Executive Chair of HMRC.

The Government confirmed today that Mr Troup will be the Executive Chair of HMRC and First Permanent Secretary, while Jon Thompson will be Chief Executive. The arrangements for assuring large tax settlements in HMRC will be reviewed in April after they both have started.

The appointments were announced on the same day as the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee ((PAC) published a report on HMRC’s deal with Google. It said that HMRC should lead the way in the reform of International tax rules.

John Cullinane, CIOT Tax Policy Director, said:

“We welcome the appointment of Edward Troup as HMRC’s Executive Chair. It is important to have a tax specialist with deep expertise in policy making leading HMRC at a time of unparalleled public interest in taxation.

“It is sensible for the Government and HMRC to take the opportunity to review the assurance process in light of the wider public interest in large settlements and there being a new Executive Chair who may add a new perspective.

“Much of the public’s interest in taxation at the moment is the result of the much publicised HMRC deal with Google. It is important to consider that Google’s tax planning arrangements highlighted in the PAC report seem directed at flaws in the US system rather than comprising anything that would impact their tax paid in the UK.”

Under the new leadership structure, Mr Troup will chair HMRC’s Board and Mr Thompson will chair HMRC’s Executive Committee and will be the Accounting Officer for HMRC.


Notes for editors

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)

The CIOT is the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT is an educational charity, promoting education and study of the administration and practice of taxation. One of our key aims is to work for a better, more efficient, tax system for all affected by it – taxpayers, their advisers and the authorities. The CIOT’s work covers all aspects of taxation, including direct and indirect taxes and duties. Through our Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG), the CIOT has a particular focus on improving the tax system, including tax credits and benefits, for the unrepresented taxpayer.

The CIOT draws on our members’ experience in private practice, commerce and industry, government and academia to improve tax administration and propose and explain how tax policy objectives can most effectively be achieved. We also link to, and draw on, similar leading professional tax bodies in other countries. The CIOT’s comments and recommendations on tax issues are made in line with our charitable objectives: we are politically neutral in our work.

The CIOT’s 17,500 members have the practising title of ‘Chartered Tax Adviser’ and the designatory letters ‘CTA’, to represent the leading tax qualification.