HC Deb 24 November 1925 vol 188 cc1166-8W
Mr. ELLIS DAVIES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the average income as assessed to income tax of barristers, solicitors, doctors, and accountants for the year ending 5th April, 1924?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There are no statistics available giving the information asked for, and I regret I cannot undertake the special investigation that would be necessary to obtain them.

Mr. BRIANT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the claims for repayment of Income Tax can be settled with greater rapidity, so that persons who have overpaid may receive the amounts due without undue delay?

Mr. CHURCHILL

In the last few years improvements in the machinery of repayment have very materially accelerated the work, and the great mass of claims are expeditiously dealt with, but I will gladly cause inquiry to be made into any case the hon. Member has in mind in which undue delay has occurred.

Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Income Tax has been refunded on account of farm losses in the years 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively; and how much Income Tax was refunded for maintenance claims on agricultural estates for 1923 and 1924?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I regret that I am unable to answer this question in the form in which it is put, as the amount of tax due from any individual depends not upon any particular source of income, but upon the total income from all sources, as modified by any title to special reliefs. On the data available it is estimated that the amount of income on which Income Tax was repaid, or which was discharged from assessment, on account of (a) farm losses, or (b) the actual income falling short of the amount assessed, was approximately £3,500,000 in 1923–24 and £3.000,000 in 1924–25. Corresponding figures are not available for the year 1922–23. As regards the second part of the question, the income on which tax was repaid or discharged in respect of maintenance of property amounted to £2,675,000 in 1923–24; for 1924–25 the figure is expected to be in the neighbourhood of £2,850,000. No division of these totals can be made as between lands and houses. or between agricultural and other kinds of property.

Mr. LAWS0N

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the amounts of collectible arrears of Income Tax outstanding for the first and second instalments, 1924–25, 1923–24, 1922–23, and for years prior to 1922–23?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The approximate amount of Income Tax due to be paid but not paid at the 31st October, 1925, was £9,300,000, of which a considerable part has since been collected. I regret that I am unable to divide this amount between first and second instalments of tax or between the respective years of account named.