It looks as if the new incumbents are picking up the “Making tax digital” baton. The following are extracts from a speech by Jane Ellison to the HMRC Annual Conference; did you get an invite?
It is these three priorities – making sure tax is fair, paid and competitive – which will remain at the heart of what this Government delivers on tax.
But what I’m also really excited about taking forward, is our plan to establish one of the best digital tax services in the world.
Offering businesses and individuals alike the kind of digital services they expect in the 21st century.
Now I know it’s not the case for everyone – and for those who can’t get online, we will make special provisions. But I’m sure that most people – in this room, and in this country – are used to doing both their personal, and their business admin, online.
And it’s just not right that our tax service should lag behind – stuck in an age of paperwork, letters and phone calls.
That’s why we want HMRC to offer all our customers a top quality, fully digital service alongside its existing services
The government have made the big billion-pound investment to do it.
And in HMRC, not to mention all the other businesses and organisations represented in this room, we’ve got the talent, know-how and determination to do it.
So at a future HMRC annual conference, what I’ll expect to be saying is that “we have done it”.
Vision for the Future
It’s a bold vision for the future.
But we’ll have made life more straightforward for millions of people and businesses.
Everyone will be able to log into their accounts online, at any time, from any of their devices.
They’ll be able to see exactly what their situation is – whether it’s about their income tax, student loan repayments, national insurance contributions – you name it.
They’ll be able to add information on their income and expenses, throughout the year, as they go along.
And they’ll know what they owe as they go along – not get any, nasty or nice, surprises when the annual tax bill drops through the letterbox.
They will even be able to spread their payments by just paying as they go, if that’s easier for them.
I know this is a big change – I’ve read your tweets!
It will be interesting to see what Philip Hammond includes in his autumn statement. According to the Financial Secretary, any changes to the tax code will be fair, tax due will be collected, and competitive.
Brave words…
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