HMRC chief praises tax returns development

Date: 15th December 2009

Latest results for the four-year "capability review" on HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have been published.

The report, from cabinet secretary and head of the home civil service Sir Gus O'Donnell, stated that the tax authority has made "significant progress" since the last update was issued in 2007.

He added that HMRC should focus on developing "innovation, efficiency and delivery" for the future.

Responding to the publication, HMRC chief executive, Lesley Strathie, said: "I am proud that we have continued to deliver against our key objectives, in particular bringing in the money which funds the public services provided through every government department.

"There are still major challenges ahead to build our leadership capability and much more to do on employee engagement."

Ms Strathie also singled out the Carter Programme, which encourages taxpayers to fill out online self-assessment tax returns rather than paper forms, for praise.

HMRC has split the deadlines of the two types of tax returns, with paper forms to be returned by October 31st and online forms by January 31st.

Online forms outnumbered the paper alternative by roughly two-to-one last year.

Posted by Jacob Williams