THOUSANDS of people are shunning the opportunity to complete self-assessment tax returns over the Internet, it is claimed. Accountants Jackson Stephen say the Inland Revenue set up the filing by Internet (FBI) gateway in April, 2000.
But although 140,000 people have registered on the system, actual usage is far below that figure.
David Cowen at Jackson Stephen says: "The number of businesses using the service has markedly declined since it was set up.
"This is unsurprising, as in my experience, most people prefer to receive professional advice when submitting their tax returns."
He added: "Self-assessment tax returns are already difficult enough.
"Perhaps the Inland Revenue should concentrate their efforts on making the actual forms simpler, rather than trying to be many things to many people, resulting in spreading themselves too thinly."
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