Self assessment tax return software to remain free

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said that it has no plans to begin charging taxpayers who use its tax return filing software.

Accountancy Age reported that some people who use third-party software to file their tax returns have to pay to use the programme and that there were concerns that HMRC was considering a similar strategy.

However, HMRC stressed that the service would remain free, as it was keen to ensure there were no barriers to filing self assessment tax returns.

In a statement to the publication, HMRC explained: "We do not charge, nor currently have any intention of charging, for the use of our self-assessment software.

"We encourage our customers to file online and believe that offering the appropriate software free of charge helps encourage this."

Earlier this week, HMRC announced that people could now complete the foreign income pages of the self assessment tax return online.

The organisation explained the section could be used to record relevant foreign income amassed in the 2007/2008 tax year.