Business tax compliance costs £15 billion a year

11 Feb 2025

An increasingly complex tax system is costing UK businesses an estimated £15.4 billion a year in compliance, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO).

HMRC's cost of collecting tax has risen by £563 million over the past five years due to added complexity in the system plus investments in staff and IT.

During this period, the government's tax yield rose by £113 billion in real terms, said the NAO.

HMRC estimates that compliant UK businesses incur costs of £15.4 billion each year in meeting around 2,500 obligations across 27 policy areas. These include £6.6 billion of fees paid to agents, accountants and other intermediaries, £4.5 billion of acquisition costs, such as software, and £4.3 billion of internal costs.

The report warned that HMRC is underestimating these costs as it does not take into account all taxpayer obligations.

Frank Haskew, Head of Taxation at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), said: 'This report highlights how the UK's increasingly complicated tax system is saddling businesses and HMRC with extra burdens and costs, which are growing in real terms. The report also substantiates our concern that the cost to businesses of complying with their tax obligations is likely to be understated.'

Copyright

© 2025 Michael Letch & Partners LLP. All rights reserved.

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.
Contact Us

Please call:
01277 655 626

Quick links

Home | Contact us | Site map | Accessibility | Disclaimer | Privacy | Help |

Address
Michael Letch & Partners LLP, 146 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9DF

Michael Letch & Partners LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registration number OC328815.

Michael Letch & Partners LLP is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to carry out specific activities and investment advice (registration number 112064).

The term ‘Partner’ is used to refer to a member of Michael Letch & Partners LLP. A list of members is open to inspection at our registered office at 146 High Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9DF.

Michael Letch & Partners LLP is registered as auditors in the United Kingdom by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants