HM Revenue and Customs Research Future Strategy

This HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) project will explore options for widening access to its tax data for research, in order to expand and enhance the evidence available to decision makers for tax policy and operations.

Research carried out using HMRC data can provide valuable insights for HMRC, HM Treasury, and other government departments. This can inform their research priorities, policymaking, and service delivery for the public good.

Using ADR UK funding, this work to progress HMRC’s future strategy will look to improve tax research through three broad objectives:

• Assess current cataloguing and governance of HMRC’s data used for research purposes against future research needs
• Research ways to improve the quality, coverage, and accessibility of HMRC data used by external researchers. Produce costed options for HMRC Datalab’s future strategy and remote access
• Facilitate greater engagement between HMRC and the research community to drive improved insights that meet HMRC research needs in the future.

The data

HMRC’s administrative data includes information on the different types of tax collected and administered by HMRC, and benefits and credits paid out. It contains data from different types of customers, including individuals and businesses from across the income spectrum, as well as trade data between the UK and other countries.

Potential of widening access to HMRC data for research

This project will identify options to boost research by maximising the use of data from across HMRC and other departments, yielding results that will inform HMRC and HM Treasury’s future direction and drive impactful tax research.

Ultimately, this work will find ways to enhance the evidence base around tax to inform policy and decision making that benefits the public, as well as support HMRC’s agenda of government transparency.  

Engagement

HMRC will work closely with government stakeholders to understand how to maximise the value of HMRC data and facilitate wider access. They will also engage with the research community, including current and prospective users of HMRC’s administrative data, to exchange ideas and ensure research access meets user needs.

Project details

Project lead: HMRC

Funded value: £100,000 (Full economic cost)

Duration: June 2024 – February 2025