HMRC’s Bizarre Self-Assessment Helpline Saga Rumbles On
HMRC is fast becoming a laughing stock with their self-assessment phone helpline shenanigans! Not only did they close it to most of their customers during their peak time for the service, in doing so shunning over 4m self-employed people, they announced a total closure of the helpline between 8 April – 30 September 2024. Now […]
You Don’t Need Tax Knowledge To Work At HMRC!
A job advert for a “support officer” at HMRC states applicants do not need “any existing knowledge or experience of tax to apply”, The Telegraph reports. The role is mainly administrative but key responsibilities include “resolving customer queries and complaints in a courteous and professional manner”. However following the unavailability of HMRC’s self-assessment helpline, many […]
Huge Increase In Tax Returns Submitted On Christmas Day
HMRC reveals that 4,757 customers submitted their self assessment tax return on Christmas Day 2023, a 45% increase compared to the same date in 2022. A day traditionally dominated by eating, drinking, and exchanging gifts saw a perhaps surprising number of customers also find time to go online and complete the essential job of filing […]
Who Are HMRC’s Customers?
Reflecting on the past year, we find ourselves wondering who exactly do HMRC exist for, who are their ‘customers’? The answer is of course everyone. According to google HMRC is responsible for administering and collecting taxes, implementing customs and excise regulations, and overseeing certain state support. Their biggest customer segment is individual taxpayers (us), followed […]
Once Again HMRC Decides Not To Answer Their Phones!
Once again self-employed people are de-prioritised and mistreated by HMRC. In a shocking disregard for their ‘customers’, and with no prior warning, HMRC has announced that the majority of self-assessment helpline callers will be redirected to resolve their own queries themselves online. Instead of providing the full and proper helpline service that we’ve come to […]
HMRC To Reduce Phone Call Volume By 30%
HMRC’s chief executive, Jim Harra has told MPs he aims to cut the volume of phone calls to HMRC by nearly a third by the end of 2024. During a session with the Treasury Select Committee, Harriet Baldwin MP pointed out that there is a 5% reduction in customer service staff in HMRC’s annual report. […]
HMRC Closes Self-Assessment Helpline Just When You Might Need It!
As of yesterday (12 June 2023), HMRC has closed their self-assessment helpline for 3 months, with only digital services available in the meantime to anyone needing help. According to HMRC, this will allow 350 advisors to take urgent calls on other lines and answer customer queries. However, it means that the millions of self-employed people […]
Warning: Have You Received Income From Online Sources?
Lots of people sell good or services online through platforms such as Ebay, Etsy and Amazon, and income earned in this way should be declared to HMRC. Similarly, if you generate income from your social media presence as an influencer or by creating content for platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, this income must […]
£67 Million Paid Via HMRC’s Self Assessment App
Almost 65,000 people have paid their self assessment bills, totalling nearly £67 million, via the HMRC app since April 2022 according to latest figures. In December 2022, 14,170 individuals paid via the app – the highest number of app payments in one month since the facility was launched in February 2022. The Self Assessment deadline for […]