HMRC has refused to reveal how many RTI penalty warning letters it has issued this year stating that doing so could “prejudice the collection of tax”.
In a written response to a Freedom of Information request the Revenue states: “HMRC holds the information requested but it is being withheld.
“The exemption that applies here is section 31(1)(d) Freedom of Information Act 2000. This is the exemption that applies to information the disclosure of which would or would be likely to prejudice the assessment or collection of tax.
“HMRC believes that disclosing the number of penalty warning letters issued could undermine the effectiveness of the penalty regime which relies to some extent on the deterrent effect of these penalties.”
