The tax forum held in Dublin on 19 and 20 September provided those present with a valuable meeting as well as some important networking time. Thanks must go to Caroline Looby at Copsey Murray for arranging our stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and what was a fantastic dinner the night before at the excellent Fallon & Byrne Restaurant – well worth a visit for anyone staying in Dublin.

As ever, we discussed a wide range of topics and some specific agenda items put forward by delegates in advance, including GAAR, PI insurance, HMRC working with tax agents, a broad discussion about tax schemes, HMRC references to the Human Rights Act, R&D tax claims, capital allowances claims, auto-enrolment, taxation of television presenters, exposure of firms using tax schemes by HMRC, and mitigation of penalties.

We were delighted to have Bob Crawford and Duncan Campbell from our new member firm Jeffrey Crawford & Co joining us. They gave a lively introduction to their firm and some of their business activities. In addition, Bob gave a detailed presentation on the new statutory residence test along with some practical examples of how they have used it.

I am now thinking about the seminar programme for 2014, so please let me know if there are any topics you would like to see covered in forthcoming seminars.