This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7220949.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tax ads man says tax too complex Tax ads man says tax too complex
(19 minutes later)
The man who fronted adverts for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with the slogan "Tax doesn't have to be taxing" says: "I wish tax was simpler".The man who fronted adverts for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with the slogan "Tax doesn't have to be taxing" says: "I wish tax was simpler".
In adverts, historian and BBC presenter, Adam Hart-Davis, has urged the public to complete their tax returns on time since 2002.In adverts, historian and BBC presenter, Adam Hart-Davis, has urged the public to complete their tax returns on time since 2002.
But in a Radio Five Live interview he said the system is too complex, especially for the self-employed.But in a Radio Five Live interview he said the system is too complex, especially for the self-employed.
He says a flat rate of tax would be easier and bring in more revenue.He says a flat rate of tax would be easier and bring in more revenue.
"Full of sympathy""Full of sympathy"
Mr Hart-Davis described VAT as "absurdly complicated".Mr Hart-Davis described VAT as "absurdly complicated".
HMRC's website was out of action for several hours on Thursday, the last day taxpayers could submit their return.HMRC's website was out of action for several hours on Thursday, the last day taxpayers could submit their return.
I wish we didn't have to pay so much but we need it Adam Hart-Davis Tax deadline extended
Thousands of taxpayers were facing an automatic £100 fine plus interest on any tax due if they missed the original midnight deadline.Thousands of taxpayers were facing an automatic £100 fine plus interest on any tax due if they missed the original midnight deadline.
HMRC now says no one who files their return before midnight on Friday will be penalised.HMRC now says no one who files their return before midnight on Friday will be penalised.
In light of the problems Adam Hart-Davis advocated extending the deadline into the weekend, saying he was "entirely full of sympathy" for those struggling with the site.In light of the problems Adam Hart-Davis advocated extending the deadline into the weekend, saying he was "entirely full of sympathy" for those struggling with the site.
"Slam together""Slam together"
At the root of the problem, he described the decision by the government to amalgamate Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue into a single department as a "great mistake".At the root of the problem, he described the decision by the government to amalgamate Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue into a single department as a "great mistake".
He said the departments, merged since 2005, were too huge to "slam together".He said the departments, merged since 2005, were too huge to "slam together".
However he remains supportive of the tax system in principle.However he remains supportive of the tax system in principle.
"We need the roads, we need the schools, we need the hospitals: we have to pay tax."We need the roads, we need the schools, we need the hospitals: we have to pay tax.
"I wish we didn't have to pay so much but we need it," he said."I wish we didn't have to pay so much but we need it," he said.
Hart-Davis expects he will soon be replaced with a "new and more beautiful face" but said he would be sorry to leave because his experience fronting the HMRC campaigns had been "huge fun".Hart-Davis expects he will soon be replaced with a "new and more beautiful face" but said he would be sorry to leave because his experience fronting the HMRC campaigns had been "huge fun".