Dear Mr Parsons

APPLICATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

I am writing to confirm that HMRC has now completed the search for the information you requested on 4 January 2009, under the FOIA.

You requested the following:

“Can you please explain why some 9 months into the tax year and with the 31 January
deadline looming, that it is still impossible to download a copy of my Tax Return in PDF
format?

     How much do you pay all 3rd party providers to provide you with services in the course
on one year?”

As you may know, s.1(1) of the FOIA provides two rights to those who make requests for information. These are:

(a) the right to be informed in writing by the public authority whether or not it holds the
information sought in the request; and
(b) if so, the right to have that information communicated.

These rights are subject to a number of exemptions and cost consideration.

The first part of your email is a question rather than a request for recorded information so I am answering that outside the terms of the FOI. The second would if held be recorded information and answerable under FOIA.

It is possible to download a copy of a Tax Return in PDF format although it depends on which application you are accessing. If you are using the HMRC offering, the OTRSA (online tax return for Self Assessment), it can be downloaded using the .pdf format as long as you have the following operating and browser settings:-

*     A PC with Windows 98 or above (i.e. Windows ME/NT/2000/XP)

*     A PC with the browsers Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, Netscape 4.75, Opera 6.0

*     An Apple Macintosh Operating system: Mac OS9 or above, with Internet browsers:
Internet Explorer 5.1, Netscape 4.77.

The following link to the HMRC website FAQ details the requirements for each service.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageOnlineServices_FAQs&propertyType=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_PROD1_027747#P4_37

If you are using a 3rd party product you will need to contact your provider to obtain their browser and operating standards.

HMRC do not pay 3rd party providers to provide our services - the facility is there to offer our customers a choice.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to:

The Freedom of Information Team

HMRC

Room 4/52.

100 Parliament Street

LONDON

SW1A 2BQ.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above on any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Eileen Tully

HM Revenue and Customs

Information Management Services

Freedom of Information Manager