Office of tax simplification

Executive summary

Following the interim report published in December 2010, we have received comments and
feedback from taxpayers, advisers, HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”), HM Treasury, and other
interested parties on our methodology and on particular reliefs. Of the 1,042 reliefs we originally
identified, this report looks in detail at 1551.
Our starting point was to review individual reliefs; an alternative method might have been to
start with a fundamental reappraisal of each tax, thereby looking at groups of reliefs in their full
context. Both approaches are equally valid; however, we consider that our approach has been
the correct one for our project and circumstances. It has allowed us to review reliefs and identify
wider issues in specific areas of tax that might lead to a wider review. It has also meant that we
could quickly establish a methodology for our work and deliver results in a short timescale2.
We have been assisted in our review of reliefs by both HM Treasury and HMRC and have
gathered evidence for our conclusions from our Consultative Committee as well as the 60 or
more representations that we have received from stakeholders (whether representative bodies,
advisers or taxpayers).

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Office of tax simplification