Hate making online tax returns? God could be the answer!

*Please note the information in this article may be out of date

As more and more of our Tax returns change to online only tasks, a certain level of computer know-how is now necessary by all, individuals or businesses alike, that is unless you are Amish!

Wed, 09 Jan 2013

Many of the more computer illiterate amongst us have been left reeling in the last year or two by HMRC's march towards a mainly online returns based system. There are some who find the "Digital by Default" scheme extremely problematic, for reasons such as access to broadband, computer illiteracy, access to a computer itself, etc.

A few small businesses have challenged Revenue's move to mainly online only returns in the past, arguing that this obligation would cost their business expenses they could ill afford, such as computer equipment & training.They may have been better off making their argument on grounds of faith!

As it stands, the only two cited reasons for exemption from making online Vat returns according to HMRC (see here) are insolvency or being a member of a religious organisation which prohibits the use of computers. Physical problems which could limit ones computer use, access problems to the internet or a computer, do not get a mention. But being Amish does! Anyone else think that is strange? Surely a physical inability to make online returns should have as much weight as inability on religious grounds? I wonder, would being a Jedi offer equal exemptions - can only use "the force" not the internet to make returns!