HMRC
No major new tax-administration or customer-service story this week.
Provisional indicator only · Does not change the formal rating
Current standing
HMRC collects the bulk of UK tax revenue with improving digital channels. Customer service performance and complexity of the tax code remain persistent criticisms; compliance yield is a relative strength.
25-year trajectory
- •Digital transformation (Making Tax Digital etc.) has progressed.
- •Customer service and phone-wait metrics have been weak for extended periods.
- •Tax-gap estimates show mixed progress.
Visual comparison
HMRC vs international peers
2000 baseline (left) vs 2026 formal (right) · Higher bar = stronger rating
Five pillars (formal assessment)
Public Trust & Respect
StableSeen as necessary but often frustrating to deal with.
Performance & Effectiveness
StableRevenue collection is effective; service experience is mixed.
Financial / Operational Sustainability
StableOperational model is large-scale and relatively stable.
International Standing
StableDigital tax administration is studied by peers.
Shock Absorption & Adaptive Capacity
StableHandled COVID support schemes and subsequent recovery at scale.
International peers
Formal ratings only · 2000 baseline → 2026 current · No weekly signals
| Institution | Country | 2000 | 2026 | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundeszentralamt für Steuern / Länder | Germany | A+ | A | Stable |
| Direction générale des Finances publiques | France | A | A– | Stable |
| Canada Revenue Agency | Canada | A | A– | Stable |
| Australian Taxation Office | Australia | A+ | A | Stable |
| Belastingdienst | Netherlands | A+ | A | Stable |
| Skatteverket | Sweden | A+ | A | Stable |