For decades, I calculated my annual tax return using the same method; as dull and reliable as a shire horse. Over a few consecutive days, mired in files of receipts, I would transcribe all the info into a spreadsheet, which would then whizz off to my accountants (to whom I pay a vast sum for pressing SEND and passing this on to the Tax Man). Sure, this doesn’t count among my most welcome annual events. It’s not even in the top 100. But at least it only happened once a year. 

Non-compliance – even anarchy – is looking a better bet than this absolute horror show

Non-compliance – even anarchy – is looking a better bet than this absolute horror show

Now, Making Tax Digital has arrived, a visitor as unwelcome as a Nazgûl. Like many things, the blame for this can be squarely laid at the polished brogues of George Osborne. We ordinary folk are now bound by government fiat to file quarterly returns, plus two reconciliations a year. Six times! That’s every other month! What’s worse is that we have to use government-approved software – for which we must shell out as much as £500 per annum, or the equivalent of two decent dinners for a couple in London.  The whole process, like so many ‘digital’ (or ‘fidgital’ as I call it) upgrades, seems designed to frustrate you........

© The Spectator