§ Bob RussellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many penalty notices were issued by the Inland Revenue to taxpayers for alleged late submission or non-submission of their 2003 self-assessment tax returns by the 31 January 2003 deadline in circumstances where they had been returned by this date; and if he will make a statement. [162324]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue does not currently hold figures of the number of Late Filing Penalty Notices issued for self assessment returns for 2002–03 which might have been issued in these circumstances.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the implementation by the Inland Revenue of the scheme whereby taxpayers who no longer need to submit a self-assessment return are informed of this; [147642]
(2) what percentage of taxpayers on low incomes have been removed from the self-assessment system since July 2002; and if he will make a statement; [147643]
(3) if he will make a statement on the simplification of the self-assessment tax return. [147644]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI refer the hon. Member to paragraph 5.102 of Budget 2004 (HC 301). In addition, the Inland Revenue estimates that up to one million people will be taken out of self-assessment altogether over the coming year. Letters will be sent to them automatically explaining that they will no longer be issued with returns.