Office of Tax Simplification announces new review of tax simplification

There’s been a flurry of work announced by the Office of Tax Simplification (“OTS”) in recent weeks including a new review of tax simplification which the Institute will be contributing to. We set out below what’s happening.

Review of tax simplification
The OTS has recently launched a review into its interpretation of, and approach to tax simplification. The review is wide ranging in its scope and will examine various aspects of tax simplification and the OTS’s related work.  The relevant scoping document is published on the OTS website.

A key element of the review is to consult with external stakeholders to obtain their insights and perspectives into tax simplification. Chartered Accountants Ireland has previously met with the OTS to discuss tax simplification and will be participating in this review.

The OTS would particularly welcome views in relation to:

• the benefits which tax simplification can bring and the ways in which this can be practically achieved and measured,
• examples of the ways in which tax complexity, as the counter of tax simplification, is experienced in practice and the impacts it can have,
• simplification principles which the government should consider in relation to the development of tax policy, and
• areas of simplification which the OTS should potentially look to prioritise.

The OTS is also keen to hear practical, real-world examples as illustrations of any points. Please send your comments and feedback to leontia.doran@charteredaccountants.ie by 21 March 2022.

Other work
Alongside this new review, the OTS has also published an evaluation paper which provides an update on simplification issues relating to tax agents and other intermediaries; one of four papers published as part of their work on simplifying everyday tax for smaller businesses.

A scoping document setting out a new review of property income and evaluation papers on improvements to the operation of the PAYE system and everyday tax has also been published in addition to an evaluation paper on the Single Customer Account and the High Income Child Benefit charge.