Research and analysis

Exploring public attitudes towards owing a debt to HMRC and its effect on credit ratings

Quantitative research exploring how widespread public attitudes are towards tax debt and its impact on credit ratings.

• From: HM Revenue & Customs and Office for National Statistics
• Published: 31 January 2017

Documents

Exploring attitudes on tax debt and its effect on credit ratings

Ref: HMRC Research Report 444

PDF, 408 KB, 8 pages

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Details

Questions were placed in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Opinions and Lifestyle survey to help gauge public attitudes towards owing a debt to HMRC and its effect on credit ratings. This complemented previous interview-based research into people’s attitudes and behaviour in regard to tax debt and its impact on credit ratings. However, the survey research aimed to provide HMRC with a more representative understanding of attitudes on this subject.

The main finding from the survey research was that the majority of people think that debt owed to HMRC will and should affect credit ratings. The research has also helped HMRC to develop our understanding of why people hold these attitudes. The findings add to HMRC’s knowledge base, providing useful information to support the formulation of any future policy development in this area.

Published 31 January 2017