Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 April 2003. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Monday, 7 April 2003 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total cost of income tax collection in the latest year for which information is available per self-assessment tax payer. - Includes figures.

Answer: Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total cost of income tax collection in the latest year for which information is available per self-assessment taxpayer. [104758] Dawn Primarolo: In general, the costs of collecting self-assessment tax are minimal because it is sent in voluntarily by the due date by most taxpayers. In relation to tax paid late, the Inland Revenue estimates that the average cost of collecting self-assessment income tax in 2001-02 was £3.58 per self-assessment taxpayer. This figure is based on the total pay costs for the staff and managers concerned.

Secondary information