HMRC have issued a consultation document on the options for improved payment methods for taxpayers and modernised debt management operations. The deadline for submitting comments is 17 September 2007.

The HMRC press release advises that the consultation document seeks views on how HMRC might address the following in relation to managing payment and debt:

• A more taxpayer focused approach – focusing less on debts arising from individual taxes and more on the taxpayer's whole interaction with HMRC;
• Making it easier to pay – providing a range of payment methods, making it easier for taxpayers to pay their tax at the right time; and
• Tackling the problem of debt – having made it easier to pay, and supported those who genuinely find it hard to pay, HMRC needs the right tools to tackle those who choose to pay late.

The consultation document is available at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1_027614.