asked the Minister for Finance if he has received any NESC or National Prices Commission report regarding the simplification of tax forms; if so, when such reports were received; the main recommendations thereof; and if they were acted on.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Simplification of Tax Forms.
13.
The information requirements of State agencies was the subject of a consultancy inquiry in 1976 and was reported on by the National Prices Commission in May 1976. The recommendations included a proposal that certain forms used by the Revenue Commissioners should be examined with a view to their being redesigned. The Department of the Public Service, having consulted with Departments, also advised all Departments and offices that forms which are issued to the public should be as simple and straightforward as possible without sacrificing essential information requirements.
The redesigning of existing tax forms and the content of new forms have been looked at the Revenue Commissioners in this context. In pursuance of the simplification proposals a new VAT return form was introduced in March 1979 which for most traders reduced the number of items which might be required to be entered; at the same time a new simpler combined purchases and sales account book for traders was introduced to replace the former separate purchases and sales books. A simpler return form on a single page for use by certain employees in the PAYE sector is being prepared, and should be available later this year.
As the Minister of State responsible for commissioning this report, I am pleased with the progress made. Can the Minister give more details of the new PAYE form, and which years will it cover?
I am never one to claim credit for knowing everything——
We can believe that all right.
I welcome the commission and I would be all in favour of simpler forms for all of taxation. I have not got available now the detailed information requested by the Deputy but I will let him have it later.