Jim Harra

Harra's family are based at Dollingstown in County Down, Northern Ireland. He was educated at Donaghcloney Primary School, Tandragee Junior High School and then Portadown College. He read law at Queen's University, Belfast and then became an inspector of taxes with the Inland Revenue in 1984.[http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/your-community/james-to-be-honoured-with-companion-of-bath-1-6590518 James to be honoured with Companion of Bath], Portadown Times, 21 February 2015[http://www.lurganmail.co.uk/news/lurgan-news/jim-to-receive-companion-of-the-bath-next-month-1-6600918 Jim to receive Companion of the Bath next month], Lurgan Mail, 28 February 2015

In January 2009, Harra became Director of Corporation Tax and VAT, and then Director of Personal Tax Customer Operations in March 2011, and Director Personal Tax Operations in October 2011. He was Director-General for Business Tax from 2012 to 2016, when he succeeded Edward Troup as Tax Assurance Commissioner.{{Cite web|url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/383139/201409-HMRC-Organogram-Final-senior-data.csv/preview|title = HMRC senior staff pay data: September 2014|date = 2014-12-05|accessdate = 2014-12-31|website = gov.uk|publisher = HM Government|first = |authorlink = HM Revenue and Customs}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jim-harra|title = Director-General, Business Tax: Jim Harra|accessdate = 2014-12-31|website = gov.uk|publisher = HM Government|authorlink = HM Revenue and Customs}} He became Tax Assurance Commissioner and Director General Customer Strategy and Design in October 2016 and was appointed Second Permanent Secretary at HMRC in November 2017.[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jim-harra-appointed-as-second-permanent-secretary-at-hmrc Jim Harra appointed as Second Permanent Secretary at HMRC] He is also a member of the Board of the department.{{Cite web|url = https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/groups/hmrc-board|title = HM Revenue and Customs – HMRC Board|accessdate = 2014-12-31|website = gov.uk|publisher = HM Government|authorlink = HM Revenue and Customs}}

In November 2017, Harra appeared on BBC's Panorama programme about VAT fraud.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42143849|title=The fraud costing the UK more than £1bn|work=BBC News |date=27 November 2017|publisher=}}

Harra was also HMRC's LGB&T Champion.[https://civilservice.blog.gov.uk/2015/06/09/moving-forward-with-pride/ Moving forward with Pride], Civil Service Blog, 9 June 2015

In October 2024 it was announced that Harra would retire from HMRC in April 2025.[https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/hmrc-perm-sec-harra-set-to-stand-down Civil Service World, HMRC perm sec Jim Harra to stand down, published 4 October 2024] He will be replaced by John-Paul Marks.{{Cite web |title=New Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive at HM Revenue and Customs |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-permanent-secretary-and-chief-executive-at-hm-revenue-and-customs |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

Harra was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2015 New Year Honours and a Knight Commander (KCB) of the same order in the 2024 Birthday Honours.{{Cite web|url = https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-years-honours-list-2015|title = New Year's Honours lists 2015|date = 2014-12-30|accessdate = 2014-12-31|website = gov.uk|publisher = Cabinet Office and Foreign Office|authorlink = HM Government|format = PDF}}{{cite web |title=Awards for Birthday Honours List 2024 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6669879843c77d8616f76033/Birthday_Honours_List_2024.pdf |website=gov.uk |access-date=14 June 2024}}

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| title = Chief Executive
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Category:1962 births

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Portadown College

Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast

Category:Chief executives of HM Revenue and Customs

Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath

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