Tax Update 2026: Simplification, Modernisation and Fairness
House of Commons · Written Statements · 23 Jun 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
Today the Government set out further reforms to simplify and modernise the tax and customs system, building on the commitment first made in His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs transformation road map, published in July 2025 and confirmed at Budget 2025. The measures announced today simplify rules, improve taxpayer guidance, and ensure more taxpayers can benefit from high-quality digital services. The changes, consultations and proposals announced today will help people and businesses to get their tax and customs right first time, while reducing burdens and improving certainty. The Government are acting to collect more revenue from those who do not play by the rules. This will help ensure that taxpayers and legitimate high-street businesses can compete on a level playing field. The Government are consulting on reforms to online marketplace VAT liability; further extending this liability to more effectively tackle non-compliance; bringing forward reforms to low-value imports, as first announced at Budget 2025; and taking targeted steps to tackle fraud from “sales suppression” systems, through consulting on new software standards. Simplifying and modernising the tax system The measures announced today support the Government’s long-term ambition for a simpler tax system, in which rules are straightforward and easy to understand, and meeting tax obligations fits into how people run their lives and businesses. Together, these measures will improve how employer payroll and expenses...