Business News
Disturbing findings lead to Taxman apology
You would not naturally think of MPs, the Taxman, and an apology to appear in the same article but I can tell you it’s true following an inquiry looking into the performance of HMRC.
The reports looked into the services provided to UK Taxpayers between March 2010 and April 2011, with a review of dissatisfaction and poor levels of service being provided in within that time, triggering a sobering response and apology from the Chairman of HMRC.
MPs have citied the findings disturbing, and the committee turned the knife with poor service standards criticism focussing particularly on call handling at HMRC which has become a particular headache for the tax payer with inordinate time waiting for calls to be answered and problems resolved coupled with the premium rate 0845 number, suggesting the implementation of cheaper 0345 numbers.
The Treasury Select Committee have not left it there either, with damning predictions that the situation will only get worse before it gets better and the public regains its trust in HMRC. They have highlighted potential and forecasted issues due to the “overly ambitious” computer programmes and ideas such as real time PAYE payment information, heavy reliance on on-line services which immediately excludes those without good or any connection, complex rules, regulations, laws and cuts within the sector.
However, the report was not all doom and gloom for HMRC; it did find that despite all of this, it does work to collect tax from UK taxpayers, but has highlighted some big issues for reflection and resolution needed.
