It looks as if the Treasury has diverted all their resources, and much of HMRC’s, to figuring out the fiscal effects of Brexit.
For example, prior to 31 July 2018, there were a constant stream on announcements issued on the subject of “money” via the gov.uk website. Since the 31 July 2018, there has been one post. Out of interest, this post – dated 24 September 2018 – reminded us that we had a week left to register 2017-18 self-assessment.
If this is how HMRC supports its customers (taxpayers) it begs the question how do they support us?
Wouldn’t it be useful, to practitioners and taxpayers, if HMRC had a rolling program of announcements that flagged up tax reliefs available to businesses and individuals, with an indication of deadlines: when claims needed to be submitted by?
Cynically, one could deduce that HMRC are reluctant to engage in activity that might reduce the tax take, even if this means that “customers” are paying more tax than required because they are ignorant of reliefs available.
Still, we shouldn’t complain, after all the accountancy profession has become adept at filling this information gap, and perhaps that’s the way of it.
If you need help fulfilling this role – information provider on tax issues – take a look at our news update services on tax and related issues. Unlike HMRC, we post several articles a week for the benefit of practitioners, their staff, clients and prospects.
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