Payroll managers, small business and the self-employed will want to check out the updated versions of the various Inland Revenue electronic tax services which have been released this week.

A full index of the available services and forms is available on the Inland Revenue website.

Individual taxpayers and payroll managers are receiving their return information through the post this week, but many are finding that if they used the electronic service last year, then this year they merely receive a letter telling them where to find the updated forms (instead of the usual bundle of paperwork). A disadvantage of this system is that many employers and taxpayers will not automatically receive a paper copy of all the reference material – although they can ask for paper copies, and the online service does have a help file embedded within it.

Amongst the tax paying services currently available online are PAYE and Self Assessment. Corporation Tax may follow in due course.

Employers wishing to check the full range of government services currently available online should review the Government Gateway website.