HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 c208W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with the Inland Revenue regarding the possibility of issuing computer software to aid self-assessment of tax liabilities. [946]

Mr. Page

The Inland Revenue plans to issue computer software to help those who have to prepare and submit a self-assessment tax return. There are two initiatives:

  1. (1) to provide tax software suppliers with the communications products required to enable agents to transmit returns electronically to the Inland Revenue, thus reducing costs and providing prompt, accurate processing of the return; and
  2. (2) to issue, on request, to those taxpayers who have a computer, a floppy disc which will help them prepare and print their return.

The Inland Revenue has consulted widely in preparing these proposals. It has held discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry.