MPs bid for overhaul of tax returns

A GROUP of MPs is seeking a revamp of the tax self-assessment system after more than a million people missed the January 31 deadline for filing returns, despite £100 fines.

An all-party select committee will question Inland Revenue chiefs this month, then draw up its own scheme to go before the Government in May.

Of 9.1 million people sent selfassessment forms, only 7.5 million returned them by the deadline, despite a £5.5 million advertising campaign starring Mrs Doyle from the Father Ted TV series. Her 'Go on, go on' adverts were voted the most annoying of the year in a poll.

Tory MP Michael Fallon, chairman of the Treasury sub-committee, said: 'We must find out why so many fail to return forms on time. The entire process will be examined.'

Taxpayers must wade through at least 29 pages and tick 500 boxes - and after that the taxman gets one in five assessments wrong.