If you are not a tax adviser, you might not have noticed or cared about the announcement of HMRC’s new tax adviser registration.
However, we feel that it is important for those getting tax advice to know that more work is being done to ensure the accuracy of the information they receive.
To ensure that you are not misled by unscrupulous would-be tax advisers, we want to help you understand the new register and how it will affect you.
What is HMRC’s new tax adviser registration?
From 18 May 2026, HMRC will see a new register established for tax advisers.
Registering will be a legal requirement for any firm that engages with HMRC on behalf of another company.
This registration mirrors the requirement for only an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to make filings with Companies House on behalf of other businesses.
Rest assured that you do not need to register if you manage any part of the tax filing for a business that you are a part of, or that is within your company group.
Software providers are also exempt, even if the software they provide does connect with HMRC.
Why is the tax adviser register important?
There is a relatively low barrier to entry for those wishing to distribute tax advice, especially on social media.
While the register does not explicitly make the practice any more unlawful than it already is, it does make it easier for legitimate tax advisers to stand out.
Going forward, it should be a simpler process to determine whether you can trust the advice that you are being given.
You should ask whether a business, firm or individual is registered as a tax adviser before taking their advice to heart.
While there is not currently a plan in place for the tax adviser register to be public-facing, changing this could further reduce the risk of bad tax advice being given and acted upon.
We will be registering as an HMRC-approved tax adviser, so you can rest assured that the tax advice we offer is legitimate.
If you do discover that an unregistered firm is offering tax advice, then be sure to raise it with HMRC.
HMRC can formally request that unregistered advisers stop what they are doing and may temporarily or permanently ban them from being able to register.
Any measures that stand to improve the quality of tax advice available for businesses and individuals are welcome and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant of bad tax advice.
