Understanding HMRC debtors’ knowledge of credit ratings and how it relates to compliance

Tender description

This is bid for through the DWP/HMRC Research Framework 8. The main aim of the research is to gain insight into the extent to which the payment behaviour of HMRC debtors may be influenced by their understanding of their credit scores . To fulfil this aim, we have the following objectives of understanding: a) The level of understanding and concern customers have about credit scores and the situations in which they believe their credit rating affects them and their access to credit – including insight into which types of credit denial would be most concerning for customers (i.e. mortgages, phone contracts etc). b) Whether customers believe that having a tax debt could influence their credit score; c) Whether an understanding or concern for credit scoring factors into their debt payment decision making more generally, and whether credit scoring is a factor in decisions to pay HMRC debt; d) Whether these factors vary according to the profile of the customer (individuals/businesses; high/low value of debt).