CIOT urges government to make tax system easier to navigate

20 Jul 2021

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has urged the government to use its tax administration review to make the UK tax system easier to navigate for taxpayers.

The CIOT has suggested a handful of 'practical improvements', including developing a single system for taxpayers to use to register and deregister for different taxes; creating a single customer account where taxpayers can view their details in one place; and simplifying how tax liabilities are assessed and calculated.

It also argues that obligations and processes across different taxes should be as consistent and simple as possible, and should serve to simplify the tax system as a whole.

Commenting on the issue, John Barnett, Chair of the CIOT's Technical Policy and Oversight Committee, said: 'The UK's tax system is creaking at the seams and this thorough review of the administration framework is long overdue.

'Many of the problems with tax administration are to do with HMRC's processes, systems, communications and guidance. These are just as important as the statutory rules and structures. We believe significant progress is achievable by making improvements in these areas, including to HMRC's service standards, to help reduce burdens on taxpayers and build trust in the tax system.'