Revenue fails to cure self-assessment faults.
Revenue system still not working properly, according to ACCA report.
Revenue system still not working properly, according to ACCA report.
The Inland Revenue has come under fire from ACCA this week after research found record levels of self-assessment system failure.
According to ACCA’s fourth annual self-assessment survey, problems in the Revenue system were as high as the record levels found in last year’s results.
Since self-assessment was launched in 1997, the system has been criticised for its over complicated forms and statements and high processing times.
The survey found 95% of the 550 UK practitioners quizzed had experienced problems because of errors on their part or Revenue systems failures.
Additionally, 70% of accountants reported they had to spend extra time on client self-assessment because of errors – with more than half of those accountants writing off their costs.
Another 60% had experienced problems because the systems had crashed.
In addition, 51% received incorrect payment demands and a similar number found staff were unable to answer technical queries. Half of respondents found the Revenue lost forms.
ACCA’s head of taxation, Chas Roy-Chowdhury, said: ‘The problems with the system are almost as great today as they were last year when the problems hit their peak.’
The Revenue said: ‘Introducing a new system as large as self-assessment is bound to result in some errors but we have worked hard to ensure these were minimised and put right as soon as possible.’
It added: ‘The ACCA survey, states a slight improvement in the administration of the system. We recognise there is always room for improvement. The self-assessment system and forms, including the tax return and tax calculation guide, are under constant review. We value the opinions of parties with an interest in self-assessment.’
Go to www.accaglobal.com for details.