The Northern Ireland Tax Committee met in Belfast recently with Mr John Whiting, the current Head of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) along with a member of his senior staff. The meeting was a unique opportunity to ensure that the views of Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland are known to and considered in developing the tax policy agenda of the OTS through its various projects.

The meeting discussed the future strategy of the OTS and its current work on small company taxation, the corporation tax computation and the alignment of income tax and NIC.

The Committee recognised and praised the many and diverse projects carried out by the OTS to date. From a strategic perspective, the question was posed whether and how simplification can be built in at the development of policy stage, for example, when drafting Finance Bill clauses as the OTS moves to a statutory basis when Finance Bill 2016 receives Royal Assent.

One practical suggestion was to introduce a system of simplification “traffic lights” as part of the Tax Information and Impact note to indicate levels of complexity when legislation is being introduced. The Committee also made a number of other practical points in relation to the current projects of the OTS.

The OTS is very keen to hear views from stakeholders on its current projects and reiterated it is seeking engagement and representations from all interested parties. You can write to the OTS with your thoughts at ots@ots.gsi.gov.uk or contact Leontia Doran who will pass these views on. The Northern Ireland Tax Committee will continue to engage with the OTS as its work develops.