PCRT Update and Refresher

Objectives

In this session we outline the key ethical requirements for professional firms in relation to Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT). We also consider similar requirements imposed on firms who are not a member of a relevant professional body, in the form of HMRC’s Standard for Agents. The session will include details of any new guidance or updates issued to either standard in 2026.

Key Topics

• Who PCRT applies to and key requirements;
• The fundamental principles;
• The standards for tax planning;
• Updated version as applicable from 1 January 2026;
• Who HMRC’s Standard for Agent’s applies to and key requirements;
• Targeted guidance for MTD for Income Tax, Research and Development Relief claims and AI;
• The latest position with ‘raising standards in the tax advice market’;
• Common issues arising in practice and how to deal with them; and
• Synergies with other agent compliance requirements including HMRC powers to tackle deliberate actions taken by agents to reduce tax liabilities, anti money-laundering and corporate offences for failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion and fraud.

This course aligns with the ICAEW Ethics CPD course module 3.3 and includes:

• Understanding how PCRT applies the fundamental principles of the Code of Ethics in a tax context.
• Exercising professional judgment in accordance with the requirements of PCRT.
• Identifying threats to the fundamental principles that might arise when involved in tax-related work.

Who Should Attend 

Managers and partners who deal with client taxation matters.