Online tax return system falters

The director of government's technical services has apologised to members of the public for problems with the online tax return system - on the first day of the new tax year.

Users keen to get their returns in early can fill their forms online from 6 April - but there were problems and delays today for many of those logging on.

A system upgrade for a number of internet services at the weekend is thought to have triggered the glitches.

Technical Services Director Mark Lewin has apologised to all affected - and admits the timing of the service interruption was unfortunate: