Office of Tax Simplification publishes 2019-20 Annual report
Simplifying the tax system to make it easier for taxpayers
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The OTS is the independent adviser to government on simplifying the UK tax system, to make it easier for taxpayers. Today it has published its fourth Annual Report, covering the year to 31 March 2020.
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman, said:
The Office of Tax Simplification’s work over the past year has added to the debate on how to make the UK’s tax system simpler and easier to engage with for tax payers. I look forward to further valuable contributions over the coming year.
Kathryn Cearns, OBE, OTS Chairman, said:
This year has been another productive one for the OTS, with major reports published on small businesses, Inheritance Tax and personal taxation.
Looking ahead, we look forward to making a full contribution to government thinking in response to the impact of COVID-19 and the potential for tax reform and simplification.
The work of the OTS
The OTS is the first sustained endeavour in the world to bring systematic and thoroughly researched approach to advising government on tax simplification.
It is in a unique position to highlight issues, stimulate debate and act as a catalyst for change, given its strong connections within government, its wide access to deep expertise outside government and its independent voice.
Two particular highlights from the year to March 2020 are:
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our second report on Inheritance Tax. published in July 2019, which offered a number of packages of recommendations to simplify the underlying rules of this tax
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our October 2019 report on ways of streamlining the tax and reporting arrangements for self-employed people and residential landlords, building on the Office’s earlier work on the application of technology and advocating greater investment in HMRC’s personal tax account
Bill Dodwell, Tax Director, said:
The OTS could not do its work without the help and support of others both inside and outside government. We continue to be grateful to Treasury Ministers for their active engagement and support, to all the many stakeholders in business and the profession who freely and openly provide their views, advice and time, and to the many individuals who have contributed to our work through surveys, emails and in other ways, and we are indebted to all OTS staff, past and present.
Notes for editors
The OTS is the independent adviser to government on simplifying the UK tax system, to make it easier for taxpayers; it does not implement changes - these are a matter for government and for Parliament.
The OTS works to improve the experience of all who interact with the tax system. It aims to reduce the administrative burden - which is what people encounter in practice - as well as looking to simplify rules, as simplification of the technical and administrative aspects of tax are each important, both to taxpayers and to HMRC. The OTS was initially formed in 2010 and put on a statutory footing in 2016.
The OTS is led by Chairman Kathryn Cearns OBE and Tax Director Bill Dodwell and has a small staff team drawn from HM Treasury, HMRC and the private sector.
Press enquiries only please contact Julie Gillespie, OTS Press Officer Phone: 03000 585028