Professional bodies call for tax simplification

Tax proposals: Professional bodies call for tax simplification
20 April 2023

Leading tax and accountancy professional bodies have come together to propose a series of actions ministers and officials should take if they are serious about delivering a simpler tax system.

Senior representatives from ATT, CIOT, ICAEW, ICAS and LITRG made the calls in a letter sent to tax minister Victoria Atkins.

In their letter, the bodies express regret at the decision to abolish the Office of Tax Simplification but welcome the Chancellor’s assurance that simplifying tax remains a priority. They offer their support to officials, and set out a number of processes which the government should introduce in order to demonstrate its commitment to simplification, including:

  1. Identify the characteristics of tax simplification
  2. Ensure someone is accountable for delivery of tax simplification
  3. Include simplification declarations in tax information and impact notes
  4. Gain external input to policy design and implementation
  5. Seek feedback from a broad range of stakeholders
  6. Ensure HMRC and Treasury engagement groups include tax simplification as a standing objective
  7. Increase awareness and improve guidance
  8. Allow time for development and integration of systems
  9. Adopt a consistent approach across tax regimes

Read the letter at: tinyurl.com/596fcdwp