Greta Garbo moment
HMRC say that there are delays with the processing of both online and paper VAT registration applications. They are taking steps to improve the situation but have asked that taxpayers 'please try to avoid contacting us to see how your application is progressing as this may further extend processing times'.
When asked about the number of direct tax schemes notified under the disclosure of tax schemes regime, John Healey said that for the period to 31 March 2007 over 1,450 direct tax schemes (income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax) and over 800 VAT schemes had been disclosed.
Hansard, 13 June 2007, vol 461, no 104, col 1124W

