Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Modern communications

19 October 2010
Issue: 4277 / Categories: Forum & Feedback , Companies
'HMRC's failure to move from procedures that have little regard for taxpayers seems unfair'

I wonder how many readers have been struck by the contrast between the way in which HMRC expect taxpayers and their agents to assume the enthusiastic adoption of modern communication techniques in dealings with them while for their part they display great reluctance to do the same in return.

Most PAYE records and many personal tax returns are expected to be transmitted electronically to HMRC. Shortly all company accounts will have to be submitted to them in computerised iXBRL format.

This applies even to the one simple set of accounts which I prepare for a charitable company each year. However HMRC cannot even arrange to deal with their ‘customers’ by e-mail and thus save them time and money.

Some tax districts now will not allow taxpayers to dial directly to the officer dealing with their case – or even be put through by the switchboard to...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.
back to top icon