e-Revenue (House of Commons Papers)

The Inland Revenue is at the forefront of the development of electronic services in the public sector. Key achievements include an award-winning web site; the option to complete and return Self Assessment forms electronically; and the option for businesses to send Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax details across an electronic data interchange facility. This report by the National Audit Office focuses on the take-up of existing e-services and examines what is being done to improve availability to business and individuals. It finds that the take up rate has varied; whilst business interest in the PAYE electronic data interchange service has been high, the take up of the internet service for Self Assessment has been less encouraging. It concludes that the Inland Revenue's target of achieving a 50 per cent take up of e-services by the end of 2005 is ambitious and, based on progress so far and experience elsewhere, is unlikely to be achieved across all customer groups. The report makes a number of recommendations for the Inland Revenue to build on the progress made, as a high take up rate depends on taxpayers finding some clear benefit for themselves in using these services. It identifies examples of good practices that can be applied to other government departments and agencies.