Published 17 years ago, updated 6 years ago

HM Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom have announced and that it will soon be creating a new Pleasure Craft Unit of Expertise (UoE) to support its operational and National Advice Service staff. They believe the new unit will help improve working relations between HMRC and the yachting/pleasure craft community and in particular, lead to better quality communications and Public Notices about yacht issues. The UoE, which will operate out of offices at Portsmouth and Avonmouth, will commence operations on 1 June 2007.

The main role of the new Unit will be to provide operational and technical advice, training and support to HMRC staff who deal with the pleasure craft sector around the UK. The Unit will also actively support HMRC staff who work in the National Advice Service (NAS). This should result in the provision of better quality and more consistent advice to businesses and members of the public who use the National Advice Service.

In its first few months, the UoE will seek to develop effective working relationships with the yachting associations so that HMRC has a better-informed understanding of the issues that are of concern or interest to the yacht and pleasure craft community. But the UoE will not provide a general helpline to businesses or members of the public.

The announcement was made at an HMRC/pleasure craft associations liaison meeting where HMRC commented that they hoped the creation of the new Unit would be of benefit to both the tax administration as well as members of the yachting community as a whole.

HMRC can be contacted for advice on Customs, Excise, VAT on their national enquiries helpline 0845 010 9000 (+44 2920 501 261 outside UK), 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday.