The
Inland Revenue is refusing to process end-of-year tax returns which have been
filled out using so-called ‘continental sevens’ – the number seven with a cross
through the upright stroke.
The
BBC reports that the taxman is threatening to fine companies that do not
resubmit their forms, using standard ‘British sevens’, by the end of this week.
Forms have been returned to those who made the ‘mistake’.
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An
Inland Revenue spokeswoman said that the system is now automated and the
scanners cannot read continental sevens. She said there is a do’s and don’ts
section in the tax guide that warns people not to use the pound sign, not to
scribble things out and not to use continental sevens.
