Chris Robshaw on Gateway 97.8

Self-employed dyslexic people are calling for extra support when it comes to tax returns due to unfair tactics which they feel penalise them. Dyslexia, which affects 10% of the UK population (or 7.5M adults) is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. It manifests itself in difficulties with the alphabet, learning to speak and spell or copying words.

Over half (59%) of self-employed people with dyslexia fill out their own tax returns – with a quarter saying they struggle to understand how to best handle it. Most say that it takes a considerable amount of time and energy completing their tax return – and believe it takes them longer than those who do are not affected by dyslexia. A quarter say that completing their tax return takes them ‘weeks’ while an additional 14% say it takes them months, according to the report by Exchequer.

As a direct result, a third say they don’t feel confident when completing their tax return – and 77% say they feel stressed completing the legally binding administration.

Aston spoke to Chris Robshaw, former England Rugby captain to discuss the research in further detail and also about his own experience with dyslexia.