FSB: Move to online tax returns should be organic

Date: 12th October 2010

Taxpayers should not be forced to file their tax returns online by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), it has been argued.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said that while it is somewhat inevitable that paper tax returns are set to be a thing of the past, the move should be allowed to happen organically.

Stephen Alambritis, chief spokesman for the FSB, said: "It is an equality and fairness issue. As an organisation we are of the firm belief that you shouldn't just bracket everyone onto the internet.

"We appreciate it's quicker and better for government, but we still think HMRC should be magnanimous – if you've got 250,000 people wanting to do the paper returns, it's a substantial amount in it's own right."

Mr Alambritis also claimed that in light of the recent mistakes made by HMRC with under and overpayments, the department should accept paper returns that arrive on November 1st without issuing penalties.

Currently, tax returns received after midnight on October 31st will see the sender issued a £100 charge.

Posted by Emma Clarke