New centre designed to improve UK tax system launched by NAO

29 Jan 2018

The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched a new tax centre with the University of Birmingham, which will seek to inform improvements in the administration of the UK tax system.

The new body, termed the NAO – University of Birmingham Tax Centre, will provide economic, financial and legal evidence in order to achieve this.

It will also assess the UK tax gap; the impact of the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative; and the issues of tax evasion and avoidance.

Co-founder of the centre, Professor Kimberley Scharf, stated that the centre will bring together the NAO's experience in helping the government to improve public services and the University of Birmingham's academic approach to tax.

Research on tax, both past and present, will be made accessible by the Tax Centre, and debate will be encouraged, enabling government bodies, academics and tax practitioners to discuss requirements and practical issues.

The Centre will be led by a Steering Committee, including members from both the NAO and the University of Birmingham.