HMRC have produced a draft charter, and are holding a consultation process open until 21 May 2009.
The aim to make "the tax and benefits system feel simple to use" is most laudable, and one that everyone (Gordon Brown and the Treasury excluded) would all agree with. However, the fact remains that the tax and benefits system is not at all simple.
I cannot see HMRC being able to make much of an impact wrt simplification, until their political masters "buy into" the concept of simplicity.
"HM Revenue & Customs makes sure that money is available to fund the UK's public services. We also help families and individuals with targeted financial support. We aim to make the tax and benefits system feel simple to use.
You can expect HMRC to:
Treat you as honest, believing you are willing to pay what you owe, claiming only what you are entitled to, unless we have good reason to doubt you.
Respect you, listening to your needs and taking into account your circumstances.
Provide you with accurate information, making it easy for those who try to get things right.
Recognise your right to be represented by someone else.
Pursue relentlessly those that break or bend the rules.
Protect the information that we hold about you.
HMRC expects you to:
Work with us to ensure your payments or claims are accurate and made at the right time.
Respect our staff, treating them in the same way as you want them to treat you.
Contact us when you need help, advice or support, letting us know if you have particular needs.
Tell us about changes in your circumstances so that we can get things right as early as possible.
Accessing information about HMRC:
Service standards, such as our times for responding when you contact us.
Data protection policy and keeping your information safe and secure.
Complaints process."
Send in your comments :
-by e-mail to: charter.consultation@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
-by post to: HMRC Charter Team, Room 3E/02, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ
-by fax to: 020 7147 0391.
Tax does have to be taxing.
HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Have you seen this Mr F?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5721618.ece
Doubtless to get one's comments on this charter considered seriously one would have to take a few of the HMRC's good officers to Wimbledon and then on to a lapdancing club.