HMRC questioned over 'two-tier' filing system

Date: 28th January 2008

A select group of people enjoy more security when submitting their tax returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) than ordinary taxpayers, it has been claimed.

The government has been urged to make the tax return system more transparent after it emerged that certain MPs, royals and other "high profile" figures will benefit from greater protection when filing their tax details this month, the Times reports.

HMRC has admitted that this group will not use the online system for tax returns, although it has denied subsequent claims that the service is not secure. However, many people feel aggrieved that government figures are not using the same method as the 29 million Britons expected to file their returns on the internet.

Mark Wallace, campaigns director for the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It is essential for democracy that MPs have to use the same systems as their voters.

"A double standard is unacceptable."

Figures from HMRC recently revealed that 500 tax returns were filed online on Christmas Day 2007.

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