Our VAT and Indirect Tax Principal, Ruth Corkin has been appointed to a steering committee of the International VAT Association (“IVA”), in her capacity as the representative for the UK VAT Practitioners Group, to represent the views and concerns of small and medium sized businesses in the UK. Her appointment will also serve to ensure that these businesses are kept up-to-date with developments in the EU that may affect them.
The IVA is the world’s leading expert body on VAT and turnover taxes representing businesses of all sizes and their advisers. The body has members from across 40 countries and provides a forum for discussion and the sharing of ideas between business, government and national tax administrations including HMRC.
Ruth is one the UK’s foremost VAT and duties specialists. She has been an adviser to the government sitting on its Alternative Arrangements for Northern Ireland Committee and acts a champion for SMEs in accessing HMRC’s systems in order for them to be able to prepare customs declarations.
In January 2021, Hillier Hopkins was named as just one of four English accountancy firms listed by HMRC as accredited customs agents – the others being global giants PwC, Deloitte and EY.
Ruth Corkin said: “Hillier Hopkins has a large client base of entrepreneurs leading successful small and medium sized businesses. VAT is a complex tax made more so by Brexit. It is important that the voice of UK business is heard on the international stage, and I am delighted to be appointed to IVA Board.”
The appointment was made on 28 June 2021 and follows joining HMRC’s Land and Property Liaison Group earlier that month as one of two representatives of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.
