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RTI penalties
I assume this also applies to the online penalty notices.
What possible reason can HMRC give for not informing agents other than they wish to frighten employers into paying the penalty or hoping they will take too long to refer the matter and go out of time ?
So much for keeping agents informed !
Typically myopic view from HMRC
How do we help our clients comply with their tortuous administrative burdens when HMRC keep us in the dark about penalties that they impose. HMRC staff live in another world from the rest of us!
The best solution would be for HMRC to send electronic notices to whoever submits the RTI information via the same tool used to make that submission (eg third party, commercial payroll software). So, for example, as I submit the FPS on behalf of my client, my payroll software should collect any notices from HMRC relevant to that client and I will immediately be made aware of penalties and other notifications from HMRC. My software will also then be able to update any tax code changes automatically. This would save time and avoid errors. Wishful thinking? Hey, it's Christmas and I can dream!
Like account statements
This latest development is rather like the lack of access to the online PAYE account information for payroll agents.
Depriving authorised agents information that is potentially essential to carry out their duties on behalf of clients.
Presumably one or more of the following apply:
HMRC management are out of touch with what their staff or IT contractors are doingHMRC management have not got a clue about how the real world works in terms of what payroll agents need to knowHMRC staff or HMRC's IT contractors who might be making decisions are fresh-faced individuals straight from college always on their iPads and lacking practical experience and not understanding how payroll agents workThere might be an underlying concept within HMRC "every which way we can" make life difficult for taxpayers and their agentsThe principle of "every which way we can" might apply in an unwritten policy amongst a few within HMRC of extracting unlawful penalties from employers - deprive their agents of the knowledge of the penalties and "with a bit of luck" some gullible employers will pay the penalties without question