Online tax return filing ‘safe and secure’ insists HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has defended the security of its online filing system following reports that a ‘two-tier’ security structure is in place to safeguard the tax returns of the wealthy.

Accusations that a separate filing system is in operation for Members of Parliament, royals and other celebrities were fuelled when Conservative MP, Andrew Robathan, declared he had received a letter from the Revenue saying he could not file his tax return online.

However, in a statement issued this week, HMRC insisted that its online services were ‘secure and safe to use’ despite allegations that would suggest otherwise.

‘Some newspapers and broadcast media have claimed that HMRC’s online filing systems are not secure because Members of Parliament and a small number of other taxpayers cannot use the Self Assessment service,’ the statement read.

It continued: ‘This is completely untrue. A small minority of taxpayers, including MPs, cannot currently use online services because the additional internal safeguards on their records mean that their taxpayer reference numbers are not recognised on the authentication system.

‘This therefore has nothing to do with the security of our online services.’

The last day for filing self assessment tax returns using the online system is 31 January 2008 – returns submitted after this date will result in a £100 fine.