Tax advisers face scrutiny by the State

MINISTERS are considering a powerful new State regulator to control the activities of Britain’s thousands of tax advisers offering services to more than 12 million people.

It would cover accountants, book- keepers and possibly family or friends offering informal advice.

The Treasury is launching its review in the wake of scandals, such as one where staff were paid via tax- avoiding loans not likely ever to be repaid.

‘Many tax advisers are competent and adhere to high professional standards,’ said the Treasury. ‘But some are incompetent, some unprofessional, a few actively corrupt.’

Accountants and others are regulated by their professional bodies. But anyone can become a tax adviser, with no obligation to be regulated. Glyn

Fullelove, head of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, said: ‘ We are greatly in favour of raising standards, but believe this ought initially to be based on the professional bodies. It would raise tricky conflict-of-interest questions were the State to be the regulator.’