Critics fear a Big Brother approach offers little protection for taxpayers. HMRC says it is following other countries’ practices

The tax office is seeking far-reaching powers to demand details of your financial affairs from banks, accountants, lawyers and estate agents without your approval or permission from a judge.

The move signals a more aggressive approach by HM Revenue & Customs as it scrambles to narrow its £33 billion tax shortfall by collecting more tax, faster. At present, if you do not give consent for HMRC to delve into your financial affairs, it has to seek permission from an independent tribunal, presided over by a judge.

Jason Collins, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, says: “If anyone was alarmed at HMRC’s reach then these new powers will feed their concerns. HMRC is essentially asking for unfettered access to information on taxpayers from third