§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discounts are available for electronic filing of tax returns. [127634]
§ Dawn PrimaroloOn 16 February 2000, the Chancellor announced that individuals who file their self-assessment tax returns over the internet in 2000–01 and pay any tax due electronically will receive a discount of £10. Small businesses that do the same for their PAYE and VAT returns in 2001–02 will receive a discount of £50 for each. And in his Budget speech on 21 March 2000 he said that small businesses that qualify for the PAYE discount and which pay tax credits to employees would receive a further discount of £50. These discounts are being offered to encourage businesses and individuals to embrace internet technology. Legislation has been included in this year's Finance Bill to provide for the payment of these incentives. The detailed conditions will be set out in regulations to be published later this year.