Regarding the National Audit Office report on making tax digital (“Watchdog hits at HMRC over making case for digital tax”, Report, June 12), as a retired accountant I can see the case for more electronic reporting of information. But I have never seen the reason for the quarterly reporting of information for income tax purposes, given that income tax is essentially an annual tax.
HM Revenue & Customs should be making more effort to allow taxpayers to report information directly to it without the need for third-party software. Living largely in Ireland and as a member of partnerships in both countries, I can file tax returns electronically in Ireland whether resident or not without the need for third-party software. In the UK I have to file paper returns unless I pay for the software. One wonders whether HMRC has been captured by the accountancy profession or the software suppliers. Or is it downright incompetence on the part of HMRC?
PE Shirley
Carrickmacross, County Monaghan
Ireland