HC Deb 15 January 2002 vol 378 cc240-1W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum(a) levied and (b) paid in fines for late submission of tax returns in each of the last four years. [26231]

Dawn Primarolo

The table shows the amounts for penalties raised by the Inland Revenue from late filing penalties on tax returns over the last four years and the total of fines paid, in each of those years. The Inland Revenue accounts for its receipts in accounts years running from November to October.

Inland Revenue
£
Accounts year Penalties raised Penalties paid
1997 0 0
1998 113,200,000 18,085,069
1999 112,200,000 29,360,479
2000 118,400,000 32,960,556
Total 343,800,000 80,406,104

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been issued with personal tax returns by the Inland Revenue in each of the last five years. [26260]

Dawn Primarolo

The number of personal ITSA returns issued by the Inland Revenue in the last four years is as follows:

Return years Issued to Number
1996–97 31 March 1998 7,686,551
1996–97 and 1997–98 31 March 1999 8,399,694
1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 31 March 2000 8,567,728
1996–976, 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 31 March 2001 8,560,419

Figures for the current return years 2000–01 are not yet available.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were fined for late submission of their tax returns in each of the last four years; and what was the total of fines paid, including interest, in each of those years. [26337]

Dawn Primarolo

The table show the number of penalties raised by the Inland Revenue from late filing penalties on tax returns over the last four years and the total of penalties paid, in each of those years. There is no information available about the number of people fined. Interest on penalties cannot be distinguished separately so has not been included.

The Inland Revenue accounts for its receipts in accounts years running from November to October
£
Accounts year Penalties raised Penalties paid
1997 0 0
1998 1,132,000 18,085,069
1999 1,122,000 29,360,479
2000 1,184,000 32,960,556
Total 3,438,000 80,406,104