Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
HMRC relies on quarterly updates and direct software uploads to foster MTD compliance.
Conclusion
We asked HMRC, given the concerns about additional burdens on customers, how it would ensure that businesses complied with the programme and compliance didn’t decline. HMRC explained that there were two key requirements that it believed will foster good compliance from business taxpayers using software. The first was a requirement 27 PTD0006, Written evidence submitted by the Association of Taxation Technicians, 19 June 2023, PTD0008, Written evidence submitted by the Chartered Institute of Taxation, 19 June 2023 28 Q 55 29 Qq 48, 52–54 30 PTD0004, Written evidence submitted by Association of Accounting Technicians, 19 June 2023, PTD0007, Written evidence submitted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, 19 June 2023, PTD0012, Written evidence submitted by Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, 19 June 2023 31 PTD0012, Written evidence submitted by Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, 19 June 2023 32 Qq 25–27; C&AG’s report, para 3.31 14 Progress with Making Tax Digital to make light-touch quarterly updates to HMRC, which will evidence that taxpayers are keeping their tax records up to date. The second was requiring that the software uploads directly to HMRC systems without the taxpayer or their agent having to intervene or transfer the data into another system, which was where some errors arise. It told us that other than Making Tax Digital, it had not identified any other options that would allow it to address the tax gap among small businesses.33 HMRC’s engagement with stakeholders on Making Tax Digital
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the committee's observation on ensuring compliance, stating its priority is to make tax easy while balancing revenue raising and tackling the tax gap. It highlights regular engagement with taxpayer representatives and enhanced policy processes to consider taxpayer experience.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. A priority for government is to make it easy for taxpayers to get tax right. However, it needs to balance several objectives for the tax system, including raising revenue and tackling the tax gap. While these often align, there can be trade-offs to consider. HMRC regularly engages a range of taxpayer representatives, including the Administrative Burdens Advisory Board (ABAB), as new services are developed and to better understand issues faced by taxpayers. ABAB provides valuable insight, including on MTD for ITSA, where its views were important in informing the announcements made in the 2023 Autumn Statement. HMRC has also established an expert panel to consult on digital improvement ideas which provides insight into how to implement changes and provide the right support for vulnerable or digitally excluded customers. As part of HMRC’s governance, the Customer Experience Committee, which includes independent expert advisers, provides advice on customer-experience issues. HMRC shares plans for digital improvements with this committee. The government has recently enhanced existing processes which support policy and service delivery, ensuring these consider improving taxpayers’ experience. This includes improving training and internal guidance for policy officials; introducing checkpoints in the policy making process where senior officials review measures from a simplification and customer experience perspective; and ensuring advice to ministers sets out how a measure contributes to making the tax system simpler, fairer or supports growth. HMRC also runs research programmes to build understanding of customer needs, publishing analyses of impacts on individuals and businesses in Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs).