Letter: Fear of tax forms

I was delighted when the Inland Revenue moved to self- assessment because it seemed to give the opportunity, for the first time, to get a correct assessment of my tax liabilities without continual arguments with my local inspector.

The form was not impossible to complete. It did require a little thought, but no more than the previous tax return form. The example given in your report "A paper-chasing, form-filling nightmare" (29 January) suggests that inertia and fear have been the greatest problems in meeting the deadline.

My sympathies, for once, are with the Inland Revenue.

J R SMART

Wokingham, Berkshire