As part of the UK HMRC’s plan to raise standards in the tax advice market and protect taxpayers from tax advisers who are unable to meet the eligibility conditions/minimum standards, accountants and tax advisers will have to register with HMRC from 1 April 2026.
This will apply to those who represent clients and is based on a UK Government Policy Paper published in July 2025 where the announcement was made. There will be a transitional period of three months with an online registration system – yet to be set up.
The HMRC plan this tougher oversight of anyone providing tax advice and services to clients as part of plans to improve service standards and stamp out abuse of the tax system.
Overseas tax advisers will be required to provide additional evidence when registering including the requirement to provide annual assurance of matters like anti-money laundering (AML) supervision status and may incur additional costs, including the certification and translation of documents.
More details are available in the Policy Paper entitled Modernising and mandating tax adviser registration with HMRC here
For audit cold file reviews and tailored training sessions explaining more about various topics like AML, Audit, FRS 102, please send a mail to john@jmcc.ie.
For more on engagement and representation letter templates and a variety of CPD webinars on money laundering and other accounting/audit related topics, please go to our website for:
- Our latest CPD Webinar on The Main Changes in Irish GAAP (recorded July 2024)
- Anti-Money Laundering Policies Controls and Procedures Manual (March 2022) — View the table of contents
- AML Webinar (December 2023) available here, which accompanies the AML Manual. It explains the latest legal AML reporting position for accountancy firms and includes a quiz. Upon completion you receive a CPD certificate for attendance in your inbox.
- Letters of engagement and similar templates—Please visit our website here where immediate downloads are available in Word format. A bulk discount is available for orders of five or more items bought together.
ISQM TOOLKIT, or if you prefer to chat through the different audit risks and potential appropriate responses presented by this new standard. We typically tailor ISQM training and brainstorming sessions to suit your firm’s unique requirements. Please contact John McCarthy FCA by email at john@jmcc.ie.
