In my post the other day I got my own self assessment statement of account which for once showed that my account was in credit! It was enough to buy a packet of crisps as long as I avoid the designer varieties but never the less such an occurrence is cause for celebration.

With the statement came a seemingly innocuous additional document from the Revenue “Paying tax by Direct Debit” extolling the virtues of paying tax in this new and revolutionary way. No delay, no postage, and even better protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

This post arrived a few days after the Budget which brought into sharp focus the Government’s requirement for cash through borrowing and increasing taxes. I had not however anticipated the latest wheeze to bolster the coffers, a “budget payment plan for Self Assessment”.