Use of online tax software to remain free
No barriers to self-assessment taxpayers filing their returns as software remains free
The taxman has rejected claims that it will charge self-assessment taxpayers
for the use of its tax return filing software.
Only users of some third-party software programs currently pay for the
service, with the government picking up the tab for the development of
HM Revenue & Customs’
software.
There has been speculation from some tax advisers in recent weeks that the
government might move to level the playing field.
But HMRC insisted it wanted to ensure that there was no barrier to
self-assessment taxpayers filing their returns.
HMRC said in a statement: ‘We do not charge, nor currently have any intention
of charging, for the use of our self-assessment software. We encourage our
customers to file online and believe that offering the appropriate software free
of charge helps encourage this.’