§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number and proportion of incorrect notices of tax coding for 2001–02 which the Inland Revenue has sent out; and what are the principal reasons for errors. [24807]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithError rates covering all notices of tax codings for a tax year are not computed and we have not yet reached the end of 2001–02.
Quality monitoring for 2000–01 showed that around 5 million taxpayers received a revised notice of tax coding during the year of which 889,000 (about 15 per cent.) were incorrect. The main reasons for error were failing to correctly update benefits in kind in accordance with information provided by the employer and failing to restore the coding to a cumulative basis following a change of employment. We are seeking significant improvement in this area this year through our on-going quality assurance and quality control programme.