Clwyd West MP, David Jones, has written to the Director General of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) protesting at HMRC’s decision to require farmers in remote rural areas to complete their VAT returns online after 1st April 2010.
David Jones said:
“There are many areas of North Wales, including, for example, Gwytherin and Cwmpenanner in my constituency, which have no satisfactory broadband access.
“For HMRC to expect farmers in such areas to complete their returns online is wholly unreasonable.
“HMRC are suggesting that farmers in such circumstances should pay an agent to submit the returns for them. However, this would simply be adding an additional expense to members of an already hard-pressed industry.
“I have therefore written to Dave Hartnett, Director General of HMRC, asking him to provide an exemption for farmers in such circumstances. I have also written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, pointing out the unreasonableness of HMRC’s position.
“Given the proximity of the 1st April, I have asked for an urgent response.”
