AIBU to think being required to download an app in order to pay tax is a step too far?

[Admarl]

I don't want to pay tax anyway. If the government wants me to pay it, why do I have to use my time, data and phone space getting an app?

I get that most technology ultimately means more work for customers/end users, but surely this is just taking the piss now.

Has something changed? I paid mine last week. I didn't download an app and it was really very quick on the website.

I admit to just handing it all over to an accountant. Way too complex. They asked HMRC for electronic correspondence… which didn’t happen. HMRC used Royal Mail instead for correspondence.
according to the accountant I can now just pay direct via my bank. - zero need to go through the app/website?

Can’t you pay by bank transfer via the banking app you already have? That’s what I do.

I don't use the HMRC app

I just do it online through a link, which they usually send me.

Is that MTD?

You don't have to download an app to pay tax. If you did, yes that would be ridiculous. HMRC are dead keen on their app but it doesn't mean everyone has to be.

Ways to pay:
www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill

I pay mine without an app? Are you talking about MTD? If so, you always needed to do a return this is just a different way of doing it. You can opt out and pay the fines though.

I just transfer directly from my bank to their bank when the tax is due. Simples

It’s a very different t way of doing it. It’s also 4 times in the year in addition to the annual tax return.

It’s a hassle if you do it yourself and a big expense if you pay an accountant.

It’s not a tax return 4 times a year though, it’s an upload of your income and expenses. And if you’ve met the thresholds, you probably should be keeping some sort of digital records of your income and expenses.

Where did I say it was a tax return 4 times a year?

in addition to the annual tax return, if you care to read a post before you comment.

It's a big additional burden on sole traders and landlords, and will probably cost money too, to pay for approved software. And who are you to say that people should already be keeping digital records via such approved software, or at all? All that time spent dealing with the new requirements, which could be spent on actually working and making money to pay tax on. Good news for the software developers though - they'll do very nicely out of it. Frankly, the least HMRC should be doing is developing some good software themselves and offering it free of charge.

You don’t have to use the app. I pay online