Taxation and SEISS claims

A reminder about the professional conduct you are expected to display when it comes to relationships with clients and HMRC

The Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT) guidance is intended to advise and assist members in their professional conduct, particularly when it comes to relationships with clients and HMRC. PCRT has been endorsed by HMRC as an acceptable basis for dealings between members and HMRC.

ACCA has produced a new technical factsheet which includes the principle extracted from PCRT to provide guidance on members’ obligations in relation to the reporting of grants claims under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, this can be found as a separate guide on our Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation guidance page.

This guidance is intended to provide assistance in relation to the reporting of SEISS grants – in particular, where you may be in disagreement with your client’s intentions. The guidance focuses on the first three SEISS grants, the receipt of which are reportable on the 2020/21 self-assessment tax return. While this guidance specifically addresses SEISS grant claims, the fundamental principles and requirements set out in PCRT would also apply to other Covid-19 support administered by HMRC or other authorities.

The factsheet covers various scenarios that a member is likely to come across when reviewing grant claims made by their clients and addresses the necessary actions that the member should take including measures that the accountant should put in place when the client refuses to take the necessary action.

To further support our members ACCA has produced guidance regarding the treatment, and corrective action necessary, in relation to errors regarding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).