What is the role of HMRC in tax compliance?

The role of HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) in tax compliance fundamentally involves administering the tax laws of the UK, ensuring that taxes are collected in accordance with these laws, and enforcing compliance among taxpayers. This includes managing the registration of taxpayers, processing tax returns, and conducting audits to ensure accuracy and adherence to tax obligations.

HMRC also plays a key role in education and outreach, helping taxpayers understand their obligations and providing guidance on tax matters. By carrying out these functions, HMRC ensures that the tax system operates fairly and effectively, contributing to the UK's public finances.

While overseeing international tax treaties and setting corporate tax rates are important functions related to taxation, they do not fall under the direct scope of HMRC's daily operations in terms of tax compliance. Distributing tax refunds is a specific aspect of HMRC's responsibilities but does not capture the broader remit of enforcing and administering tax compliance as effectively as the correct answer does. Therefore, the correct response comprehensively encapsulates HMRC's primary responsibilities within the context of tax compliance.