Tax return woes

My tax return (online) is due at the end of the month and I have been struggling with it all day. The main problem is finding all the data I need. I should complete it tomorrow, but it is a task I do not like doing. I actually started before Christmas but I usually do it earlier.

Tax return

Today, I started my online tax return. I usually do it about this time of the year, although last year it was later (in early January) because I was in hospital. I think I have all the data I need: usually finding these is the hardest bit. I hope to complete this next week.

Car tax discs - not needed from today

As of Oct 1st 2014, it is no longer necessary to display a car  tax disc in the window of your car in the UK. Using computer records, enforcement officers can use registration details to check if a car is taxed and insured.

But apparently the on-line tax system is falling over. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29430979 .

Local taxes on large supermarkets

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28495631 .

All I can say is GOOD.

If this move helps councils to raise money locally all well and good. Some have called it the "Tesco" tax. Food prices might go up a bit, but more likely the profits of the big supermarkets will get trimmed. It must help smaller, local  traders.

What a sensible move, and not before time in England.  It already happens in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

UK tax inefficiency

Why do we still have TV licences? Why not just increase income tax or increase VAT on TVs, PCs, mobiles and phones and save all that admin cost? Same applies to road fund tax: why not just put up fuel duty? Again, less admin, no evasion.   Likewise the winter fuel payment for all people over 60 in the UK: the taxman knows how old each of us is, so why not just increase the tax free allowance on income tax if you are over 60?