What data would boost trust in the tax system, asks HMRC

March 11 2020: ICAEW members are being urged to share their thoughts on what information HMRC should publish about how it uses its powers in a bid to improve trust in the UK tax system.

As part of an initiative to increase transparency, HMRC is asking ICAEW members four questions about the level of  information it currently shares and what additional data would further enhance trust.

The questions are:

1. Do you know where HMRC publishes information and how to access it?
2. Do you think if HMRC published further data it would improve your understanding of how HMRC uses its powers and the operation of taxpayer safeguards?
3. What information do you think it most important for HMRC to publish to improve trust and transparency
4. Why do you think this would help improve trust and transparency?

One suggestion that has already been made is that HMRC should publish more data about the penalties it issues. Another is for the greater use of online dashboards, for example, showing the progress on businesses signing up to Making Tax Digital for VAT.

If you think that HMRC should be publishing more information and data about its performance or have views about what it currently publishes, please contact: caroline.miskin@icaew.com by 31 March 2020.

Background

This strand of work is one of the commitments made by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in a written ministerial statement in July 2019.

In September 2019, HMRC expanded the range of performance and management information it publishes to include 14 new metrics, including around debt management, customs and customer experience.

In November 2019, HMRC published quarterly experimental compliance data including the number of closed civil and criminal compliance checks, total prosecutions and criminal sentences as well as the outcomes of court decisions.

HMRC also publishes an annual report and accounts, a your charter report and an annual report on measuring the tax gap.