Filling in a tax return is 'pretty complicated', says expert

Date: 29th October 2010

Although the deadline is now very nearly upon us, taxpayers could be encouraged to seek the help of a specialist accountancy service following recent comments made by one expert.

George Crozier, external relations manager for Chartered Institute of Taxation, said the UK has one of the most complicated tax systems in the world and filling in tax-return forms is a "pretty complicated business".

The comments come as the clock ticks down to Sunday's (October 31st) deadline, with taxpayers facing a £100 charge and increased interest from tax investigators if they fail to file their returns with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by midnight.

"There's a need for HMRC to provide information in an accessible way, to have accessible help lines that people can phone up," Mr Crozier commented.

"We … are concerned about the effect that this (the recent public sector spending cuts) might have on the access that the average taxpayer and particularly vulnerable people have to support and help services, via phone help lines for advice, enquiries and so on."

Posted by Emily Smith