The Office of Tax Simplification has published its high-level strategy consultation, ‘Simplifying tax for the future’, as it prepares to become a statutory body with a new and broader remit.
The three strands of the OTS strategy are: to consider the tax issues that are arising as the world of work changes; to address specific complex areas; and to play a greater role in the digital agenda.
To deliver its strategy the OTS plans to:
set out how new trends and changes in business and employment (such as the sharing economy) will impact on tax
consider how to make tax simpler given these changes to how we work
reviews areas integral to these trends and identify difficult issues where an informed discussion is required
take the issues and options out for wide discussion and evidence gathering
encourage simplification to be built into tax policy making and implementation early on in the process
engage closely with HMRC on its important digital agenda.
Angela Knight, Chair of the OTS said, ‘Some areas of tax will always be complex but the OTS aims to make using the system as easy as possible’.
John Whiting, OTS Tax Director said, ‘Our strategy document sets out how we think the OTS should develop and operate. But we want to hear from as many people as possible in response to the questions we have posed, to ensure we make the most of our new remit to help create a simpler tax system’.
The OTS asks for comments by 30 June, but will accept submissions until 31 July. These should be sent to ots@ots.gsi.gov.uk.
The Office of Tax Simplification has published its high-level strategy consultation, ‘Simplifying tax for the future’, as it prepares to become a statutory body with a new and broader remit.
The three strands of the OTS strategy are: to consider the tax issues that are arising as the world of work changes; to address specific complex areas; and to play a greater role in the digital agenda.
To deliver its strategy the OTS plans to:
set out how new trends and changes in business and employment (such as the sharing economy) will impact on tax
consider how to make tax simpler given these changes to how we work
reviews areas integral to these trends and identify difficult issues where an informed discussion is required
take the issues and options out for wide discussion and evidence gathering
encourage simplification to be built into tax policy making and implementation early on in the process
engage closely with HMRC on its important digital agenda.
Angela Knight, Chair of the OTS said, ‘Some areas of tax will always be complex but the OTS aims to make using the system as easy as possible’.
John Whiting, OTS Tax Director said, ‘Our strategy document sets out how we think the OTS should develop and operate. But we want to hear from as many people as possible in response to the questions we have posed, to ensure we make the most of our new remit to help create a simpler tax system’.
The OTS asks for comments by 30 June, but will accept submissions until 31 July. These should be sent to ots@ots.gsi.gov.uk.
