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Tax officials take on work placements with SMEs
Painters and decorators could soon find themselves with an official from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) working for them as a trainee, as part of the 'Business Buddy' initiative.
The scheme, which was set up by small business trade body, Forum of Private Business, has been designed to give decision makers and government officials first-hand experience of the trials and tribulations that small business owners go through. It has already seen 70 MPs, such as the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, given placements at firms in their constituencies.
Now it is the turn of the taxmen to find out more about what it takes to grow and run a small business. With many of the issues that bosses complain about involving HMRC, it will be a great opportunity for the officials to explore ways in which they can make the tax system work more effectively for small firms.
An HMRC spokesman said: "The Business Buddy scheme provides a great opportunity for our staff to learn what life is like for small business owners. Understanding the challenges small firms face helps us design better services for the future and support them in getting their tax right quickly and easily."
Simon Chrisp, head of customer service at American Express, said: "When customers know that a company is listening to them and addressing their needs, they will not only spend more - they will spread the word to others as well. Great customer service is great business. In the UK more than one in five people have said that they would simply refuse to do business with a company that provides poor service."
To learn more about the new rules, visit: http://bit.ly/JSFlsH
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