HMRC to shake up its organisational structure

HMRC has announced plans to shake up its organisational structure as part of transformation plans to become a more digitally-focused tax authority.

The reorganisation was communicated to stakeholders earlier this week and will see HMRC’s four directorates streamlined into three distinct departments.

• a new Customer Strategy and Tax Design group, which brings together our customer strategy, tax policy, process design and tax assurance teams, led by Jim Harra
• an expanded Customer Service group, which includes all of our big operational teams, led by Ruth Owen
• a Customer Compliance group, which will tackle non-compliance and enforcement for all customer groups, including large businesses, led by Jennie Granger.

The three new groups will be supported by the existing Transformation and Corporate Services areas.

Responding to the changes to the internal structure of HMRC Jonathan Riley, Head of Tax, Grant Thornton UK, said:

“Whilst we await detail, it is encouraging that HMRC seems to be focusing on strategy and design, suggesting HMRC may have greater connectivity with policy formulation than has been the case in recent years.  This move combined with the Office of Tax Simplification being placed on a statutory basis suggests we may be moving into an era where we consider designing a tax regime that that works with and for business, allowing them to unlock growth and help create a vibrant economy.

“In addition, the recent improvements in the previously poor customer service is great news for the individual hard pressed tax payers, and their agents, especially as they get to grips with Making Tax Digital.”