Book Description

This NAO report examines the progress made by the Inland Revenue (now HM Revenue and Customs) to help ensure that correct Income Tax returns are sent on time from those who are required to submit them, focusing on the following issues: the reasons why taxpayers should file them on time and accurately; the Department's performance in getting returns in by the deadline and in chasing late returns; accuracy of taxpayers in submitting returns and of the Department in processing them; and the need to make forms easier for people to complete in order to reduce compliance and processing costs. The report makes a number of recommendations for improvements focused on seven areas, including achieving the 2008 Public Service Agreement target for the proportion of taxpayers who file on time; using sanctions to encourage timeliness of tax returns; improving the accuracy of Revenue processing methods; and improving the clarity of the self assessment form.