HMRC’s recently published annual report and accounts for 2021/22 reveal a number of highlights, including a record £731bn in total tax revenues – up from £609bn for the previous tax year (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the impact of the pandemic), but also contrasting with the £637bn collected in 2019/20.
£31bn of additional tax was generated through tackling avoidance and evasion, according to the report, down on the £37bn generated in 2019/20.
In terms of HMRC’s performance in 2021/22, although turnaround times on responses to taxpayers and agents fell well below target (45.5% of correspondence handled within 15 days), Jim Harra points out that the department was still dealing with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, with the support schemes still in place for most of calendar year 2021 and HMRC staff deployed in alternative roles as necessary. In his executive summary, Harra notes: ‘In light of the exceptional circumstances, we didn’t set formal performance targets – but many of our customer service levels have nevertheless not been where we would wish them to be, and I’m sorry that some customers and agents have experienced delays when dealing with us.’
During the 2021/22 tax year, HMRC also implemented new systems and infrastructure to support the new post-Brexit customs rules that came in on 1 January 2022.
One point that stands out is the £34bn of ‘tax under consideration’ as at 31 March 2022 or, in other words, the estimated maximum potential additional tax identified in cases under review by HMRC where full investigation has not yet been carried out.
HMRC’s recently published annual report and accounts for 2021/22 reveal a number of highlights, including a record £731bn in total tax revenues – up from £609bn for the previous tax year (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the impact of the pandemic), but also contrasting with the £637bn collected in 2019/20.
£31bn of additional tax was generated through tackling avoidance and evasion, according to the report, down on the £37bn generated in 2019/20.
In terms of HMRC’s performance in 2021/22, although turnaround times on responses to taxpayers and agents fell well below target (45.5% of correspondence handled within 15 days), Jim Harra points out that the department was still dealing with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, with the support schemes still in place for most of calendar year 2021 and HMRC staff deployed in alternative roles as necessary. In his executive summary, Harra notes: ‘In light of the exceptional circumstances, we didn’t set formal performance targets – but many of our customer service levels have nevertheless not been where we would wish them to be, and I’m sorry that some customers and agents have experienced delays when dealing with us.’
During the 2021/22 tax year, HMRC also implemented new systems and infrastructure to support the new post-Brexit customs rules that came in on 1 January 2022.
One point that stands out is the £34bn of ‘tax under consideration’ as at 31 March 2022 or, in other words, the estimated maximum potential additional tax identified in cases under review by HMRC where full investigation has not yet been carried out.
