Somerset House Revisited

The Chartered Institute of Taxation London Branch has a thriving programme of speaker meetings and discussion groups. The jewel in its crown is undoubtedly the regular annual meeting between the profession and the revenue departments (IRC and Customs & Excise) held at Somerset House the Headquarters of the Inland Revenue Commissioners. This year's event lived up to these expectations and was sold out within hours of being advertised (entry is restricted to pre-booked ticketholders).

The audience of about a hundred chartered tax advisers revenue officials and customs officers found the basement lecture theatre by following temporary signs through the government's rabbit warren. Many hoping...