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HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) ‘Agent and Client Statistics’ (previously known as the ‘agent view’) will bring together information held on HMRC systems about agents and their clients’

filing, payment or compliance history. Working with agents, HMRC will use Agent and Client Statistics to target support at agents that need it to help their clients comply. It will also

assist HMRC to identify and share good agent practice.

The majority of agents with well managed practices won’t be affected, as their clients’ compliance is likely to fall within the range HMRC would expect.

This guide provides the latest information on progress of Agent and Client Statistics.

A National Audit Office report expressed concern at the lack of information HMRC holds about agents and recommended that the department looks at ways to identify the minority of agents whose

performance falls short of what might reasonably be expected.

HMRC tested a proof of concept model of Agent and Client Statistics and agreed with the professional bodies to pilot agents who deal with Self Assessment.

HMRC selected over 30 agents (each with a minimum of 200 Self Assessment clients) where either less than:

Letters were issued and HMRC’s Agent Support Officers (experienced Agent Account Managers with extensive knowledge of working with tax agents and dealing with their issues) approached agents

to arrange a meeting to explore why the ‘data’ about their clients suggested performance levels outside of normal expectations.

A second pilot involving agents with CIS repayment clients started in October 2013 to test the use of a checklist and guidance material developed with the professional bodies.

HMRC will then apply the learning from all of the pilots to inform future support and education activity.