Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation

PCRT sets out the principles and standards of behaviour that all members and students must follow in their tax work. It has a digital structure to make it easier to navigate. The current edition is effective from 1 January 2023.This includes some minor editorial changes and can be found here.

PCRT now consists of the fundamental principles and the standards for tax planning.

PCRT is supported by supplementary help sheets (which replace Parts 3 and 4 of the 2017 edition of PCRT). 

In this latest update, the fundamental principles and standards have not changed. The help sheets represent guidance designed to help members apply the Fundamental Principles and Standards in their tax work.  While not mandatory a member in a disciplinary case may be asked to explain why they did not follow the help sheet guidance.  For example, a case might be brought against a member under the fundamental principle of Integrity. As part of the investigation by the disciplinary body the member could be asked to explain why, as recommended in the ‘Dealing with errors’ help sheet, they had not advised their client to make good the tax underpayment which they had identified in the client’s tax affairs.

From 1st June 2020 PCRT is also supported by topical guidance as follows:

Topical guidance covering the application of professional standards to the provision of R&D tax credit services

Interim guidance on MTD for Income Tax

The PCRT bodies established a working group to draft topical guidance covering the application of PCRT to the requirements of MTD for Income Tax. This has been drafted over the past few months, and versions of the document have been shared with HMRC and interested parties to obtain their thoughts and comments.

The PCRT bodies are keen to share this with members in readiness for the mandating of MTD and have agreed to publish this as interim guidance. Please note that we expect this to be an iterative process and future updates will be made to the guidance document as necessary.

Interim topical guidance covering the application of PCRT to MTD for Income Tax - May 2025

PCRT Webinars

Five fundamental principles of PCRT webinar

Coronavirus related guidance

Guidance on members’ obligations in relation to the reporting of grants claims under the self-employment income support scheme.

Guidance on the treatment, and corrective action necessary, in relation to errors and tax return reporting obligations regarding the coronavirus job retention scheme.

CFE Professional Affairs Committee Professional judgment in tax planning and PCRT

As members of CFE the CIOT have prepared some FAQ on this issue which are available on the CIOT website.

Other PCRT related links

PCRT Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - 2017 changes to PCRT

Raising standards across the tax profession - report from the PCRT professional bodies

Previous editions of PCRT can be found below:

Page last reviewed and updated 17 January 2023