THOUGHT LEADERSHIP pull down all liabilities( PAYE, CIS) for tax months and VAT( based on the company’ s VAT period) monthly, quarterly and annually, with endusers able to access this information via the platform they use.
Alternatively, a‘ Share Code’ concept, whereby businesses are granted controlled, time-bound, read-only access to verified tax liability statuses – similar to DVLA’ s worldwide driving licence share function – could offer a practical and secure solution.
2. Payslip verification API
With basic data from a contractor’ s payslip – such as PayID, date and net / gross amounts – businesses could confirm whether the worker has appeared on an official Full Payment Submission( FPS) and whether the payroll data submitted matches exactly what HMRC holds. This would allow agencies to ensure every payment issued is correct, compliant and visible to HMRC.
Together, these two APIs would provide clarity and certainty that the worker is reported to HMRC, that their payslip is reflected in what HMRC received and that the liabilities are paid in full.
Importantly, because most payroll platforms already integrate with HMRC’ s RTI system, these enhancements wouldn’ t require a complete overhaul. They would simply unlock the full potential of the systems we already have, bringing transparency to the fore.
A shared responsibility: Government and industry collaboration
As already noted, our research has shown that the industry wants to comply but cannot do so efficiently without HMRC modernisation and a digital infrastructure that’ s fit for purpose.
Ahead of the April 2026 deadline, it’ s imperative that HMRC enhances its technological competencies and capabilities. Though it has already made significant strides in digitisation, the availability of a more thorough and robust suite of tools is the logical next step to ensure businesses have what they need to comply with tax laws.
We see this as an opportunity for HMRC to modernise its tax systems, reduce administrative burden and reinforce trust. By adopting AIdriven insights and real-time access through public APIs, HMRC can transform tax compliance from a burden to a strategic advantage.
Our proposed technical roadmap would empower businesses, reduce the risk of tax-related penalties, create a more transparent recruitment environment and contribute to the continued growth and modernisation of the sector.
Without this integration and investment into digitisation, the Joint and Several Liability policy risks creating digital chaos instead of digital compliance.
Now is the time to build a trustworthy, efficient tax system that will stand the test of time, today and into the future. �
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