From Canon Ian Tarrant
Sir, - When the online filing of income-tax returns was
introduced more than ten years ago, I was not surprised to find
that ministers of religion were not provided for. Why automate the
special pages for a relatively small group of taxpayers, when the
teething problems of a new system were still being sorted out?
Nevertheless, now that online tax returns are the norm, why are
the clergy excluded? Surely it would be easier for HM Revenue and
Customs, as well as for ministers, if those two special pages could
be added to the system. I write, having spent a few hours trying to
ensure that my "service benefit cap" calculations are correct. Who
will speak to HMRC on our behalf?
IAN TARRANT
The Rectory, 8 Chelmsford Road
London E18 2PL
