There are new standard systems for tax
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is introducing some standard systems for tax checks, penalties and appeals, across its main taxes from 1 April 2009. They should make it simpler because for the first time the main taxes will share some of the same rules.
Compliance checks
Every year HMRC checks if people's tax is correct. From 1 April there will be one system across our main taxes:
- to obtain information about your tax
- to inspect your business records
- for the records you need to keep
- for the amount of time you have to make tax claims
- for the amount of time we have to make tax assessments
Find out more about the new compliance checks.
Penalties for inaccuracies
During its checks HMRC may find mistakes or inaccuracies in your tax returns or other tax documents.
But if you take reasonable care to get your tax right you will not be penalised even if you do make a mistake.
Find out how you can take care to avoid a penalty.
What you can do if you disagree with HMRC decisions
From 1 April 2009 the existing tax tribunals will be replaced by the Tax Chamber. HMRC will also offer our customers the option of an internal review of tax decisions that can be appealed, with the aim of resolving issues as quickly as possible.
Find out how you can appeal our decisions (PDF 60K).
Keeping records
Keeping accurate and up to date records is essential to provide you with information about how your business is performing, to obtain finance, and to prepare accurate tax returns.
HMRC offers a range of guidance on record keeping to meet your specific tax needs:
