Pensioners paid £4.4bn more in income tax than UK government claimed

The UK government has been accused of "sneaking out" figures after it emerged pensioners paid £4.4bn more in income tax on their pensions in 2016-17 than had previously been expected. Retirees actually paid £17.9bn in income tax in 2016/17, compared to a previously published estimate of £13.5bnn: a £4.4bn difference compared to the original forecast. In its pension tax relief data published this week, HM Revenue & Customs stated in a footnote that the calculation of tax being paid by pensioners has changed. Instead of using a sample survey, the figures are now based on real time infor...