West firms are being urged to tell the Treasury how it could change the business tax system to make the UK more competitive.
The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is seeking ideas for an initial report on tax simplification to be presented ahead of next month’s Budget.
Andy Richens, technical tax director at accountants Bishop Fleming, which has an office in Bristol, is particularly keen to hear the views of West businesses, having been appointed recently as a fixed-term policy adviser for the OTS. 
Andy, pictured, said: “The OTS has been asked by the Chancellor to conduct a review of how the Government could improve the competitiveness of the UK tax system.”
This is in the light of a World Bank report which ranks the UK 10th overall for doing business, but 14th for taxation and 28th for starting a new business.
“The Government wants to make the UK a better place for doing business, and wants recommendations on tax simplification,” said Mr Richens. “Those recommendations will focus on ways in which smaller businesses could benefit from changes to tax administration.
“HMRC has already made a number of improvements, but business owners will know of more ways in which the burden of tax administration could be reduced. I want to hear those ideas and put them forward to the Chancellor.”
Bishop Fleming has provided a forum called Tell the Chancellor on its website which enables businesses to post suggestions for tax improvements that Andy Richens can put forward. Go to www.bishopfleming.co.uk/tellthechancellor to submit ideas.
