Still 20% of personal tax returns from 2019 to process

The team have been working to tackle a backlog, which dates back several years. A more recent problem was caused by new technology.

In December, 93% of 2018 returns and 68% of 2019 personal returns had been processed. Since then 5,800 assessments have been completed, taking them up to 94% and 80% respectively.

The 2020 return had to be submitted by March. So far 28% of those have been processed.

Company returns are also being processed, but 16% of 2018 returns and 31% of 2019 returns are still waiting to be assessed.

The catch-up has been making progress after former staff members were enlisted to help with self-employed and more complex cases. Local accountants have also been helping with company returns.

Sarah Davies, head of service delivery for Revenue Service, said she knew customers were frustrated at the delays.

‘The service is doing its best to get through as many returns as we can, which is why we’ve brought in this additional support so that we get through assessments faster, especially as we are now starting to see improvements from the teams’ efforts in the huge task of documenting our existing processes, which has enabled the creation of the new automated risk and assessment system,’ she said.

‘We would like to ask customers not to follow up with us on the progress of their return at this time, unless they have an urgent enquiry, so that we can focus our efforts on getting assessments done. We will provide you with your assessment as soon as we possibly can and we thank you for your patience.’

While the delays stretch back years, they have not significantly impacted on the collection of money to fund the provision of public services as the majority of tax is collected through withholding tax deducted from employment and some pension payment.

. Islanders can fill in their return for the 2021 tax year. The deadline for those returns is 28 February 2023. There is a penalty for late return.