The professional bodies in the Working Together E-Group, which regularly meets with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to discuss issues regarding online filing, polled its members over the future of the online filing system and found overwhelmingly that free online filing software should continue.

‘Eighty-two percent of members responding thought that HMRC should continue to supply free software to unrepresented taxpayers. This is on the basis that if HMRC want to encourage individuals to file online rather than by paper. HMRC should continue to supply a free basic e-filing service,’ Paul Aplin, member of the E-Group and chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)’s tax faculty, said.

The survey also sought opinion on the current state of HMRC’s e-filing system and an overwhelming 85% of respondents said the system was worse or no better than last year.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) said the survey results indicated HMRC needed to think very carefully before any strategic changes and also needed to carry out extensive testing before requiring changes to their own and commercial e-filing system software.