CEOs welcome: Busy times ahead!

Welcome: Busy times ahead!
18 September 2023

Autumn has got off to a great start with the CIOT’s Cambridge conference, our Joint Presidents’ thank you reception for volunteers and over 2,000 students registering for the CTA exams and over 1,900 for the ATT exams, both in November. We have another meeting scheduled with the Permanent Secretary Jim Harra, and CIOT Council meets at the end of the month. It’s an exciting time to think about applying to become a trustee of the CIOT. You will see on page XX that we are looking for members to join our Council. Please do consider this and signpost any members who could be interested.

ATT and CIOT technical officers responded to the draft 2023/24 Finance Bill legislation in September which was issued on 18 July for comment. We would like to thank all of those who provided feedback to our technical teams. The input and comments provided by members help to ensure that our responses to HMRC and HM Treasury are focused, relevant and take account of practical consideration when applying and administering new and/or changes to legislation. Although the feedback period on the Finance Bill legislation has closed, we are always keen to hear from members about practical instances where the legislation is not working in the way that was anticipated when it was originally enacted. If you have come across such examples and would like to share them with us, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

There are lots of other ways in which we would encourage members to get involved. On 18 October, ATT Fellows can join a free webinar where they can meet other ATT Fellows and join discussion groups on various topics. The main session will cover ‘New rules for divorcing couples’ presented by Helen Thornley, and will be followed by discussion groups covering such diverse subjects as R&D – what’s worrying non-specialists, the taxation of influencers and content creators, and what is on your Budget wish list? If you are an ATT Fellow, look out for your invitation and details of how to register.

In November, the ATT will again be running a Sharpen Your Tax skills series, together with the AAT. This year, Makayla Combes and the ATT technical team will update us on recent topical tax changes, including plenty of practical and interactive examples. We have two dates which are 8 and 24 November. Keep a look out in the weekly emails for details of how to register.

Also in November, the ATT will be launching its second Special Interest Group on Tax Disputes and Resolution (TDR). These Special Interest Groups have been set up to provide an informal and welcoming online platform for members to discuss, debate, consider and examine a particular area of special interest within the field of tax, including that area’s development, administration, processes and practical application. The first topic for the TDR group will be looking at members’ experiences of making disclosures using the Digital Disclosure Service. Keep a look out in the weekly emails for details of how to register for this and other Special Interest Groups.

For more CPD and professional skills updates, we recommend that you look at your local branch programme, where branches are offering free and low cost CPD on a variety of subjects. Many meetings are now held face to face, whilst others are provided online, so there is something for everyone.

A special mention to the Severn Valley branch which is holding a 40th anniversary networking event on Thursday, 9 November 2023 at the Revolution Bar in Cheltenham. If you are in that area and would like to support other Branch members, please sign up via your weekly Branch email.