Written question asked by Colin Pickthall (Labour) on Thursday, 7 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 14 December 2000 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the Inland Revenue does not give reasons for investigations of individuals' tax affairs.

Answer: Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Inland Revenue does not give reasons for investigations of individuals' tax affairs. [142475] Dawn Primarolo: Tax inspectors have the statutory right to inquire into any tax return to check whether it is correct. They do not need to have grounds for suspicion, and the return may be chosen at random or following an assessment of risk. Disclosing how a return has been chosen would reduce the future effectiveness of the selection methods. Any person whose tax return is the subject of an inquiry may appeal to the General Commissioners for a direction that the inquiry should cease.

Secondary information