CIOT calls for swift improvement from HMRC

Date: 1st August 2011

Small business owners operating in various UK sectors could be among the taxpayers encouraged by the recent calls of one industry body.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has urged HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to act quickly in order to improve its services.

It comes after the Treasury select committee criticised the department for the way it deals with taxpayers' calls and handles complaints.

Indeed, Anthony Thomas, president of the CIOT, cited "unacceptably poor levels of service" as the cause of much frustration.

"For the tax system to work effectively there must be trust between taxpayers and HMRC. Taxpayers and their agents must be able to navigate the tax system easily, pay their taxes and get answers from HMRC to their questions. The key is clarity over their tax affairs," he said.

"HMRC must act urgently on these recommendations or risk undermining confidence in the tax system still further. The recommendations are in line with the aspirations of the HMRC Charter, which was intended to embed a taxpayer perspective from the bottom to the top of the Department."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher