Question:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs is taking to reduce duplication in the processes required of carers and older taxpayers; and what assessment HMRC has made of the potential impact of these requirements on those taxpayers. (22210)
Tabled on: 28 August 2026
Answer:
James Murray:
In July 2025, the government published HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap. The roadmap sets our vision for tax administration to happen with minimal effort thanks to simplified tax processes, the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and more digital self-serve options for customers. This will mean compliance is easy for the majority who want to get their tax and customs duties right, minimising opportunities for inadvertent errors.
HMRC assesses the impact on customers as a standard part of changes to policy and process, and routinely publishes the results as part of tax information and impact notes for tax policy changes. These also set out where impacts have been identified on customers by virtue of characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010, including age.
Most customers are able to deal with their tax affairs on their own or with the support of their agent, though some customers have a temporary or enduring need for extra help. HMRC is committed to identifying and supporting all customers who need extra help and has published a set of commitments to support these customers in the HMRC Charter and the Principles of Support for Customers Who Need Extra Help.
