Mark McLaughlin points out that there may be unfortunate consequences for clients who turn a blind eye to their agent’s errors
Tax return errors by taxpayers are not uncommon. This is perhaps understandable, given the complexity of the UK tax system and the potential for misunderstanding tax law. It is undoubtedly an important reason why many taxpayers engage agents to deal with the preparation and filing of their tax returns.
Who’s to blame?
However, what if an error is made in the taxpayer’s return by an agent? These days we live in a blame culture, and taxpayers might feel justified in blaming their agents as a convenient escape from a penalty for a tax return error.
Understandably, agents will normally seek to detach themselves from blame for tax return errors. If the agent admits responsibility, they leave themselves open to a possible professional negligence claim. Furthermore, an acrimonious dispute could result in a complaint being made to the agent’s professional body (if they are regulated by one).
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