HMRC To Close Self Assessment Helpline for 3 Months

 

HMRC has announced that it will close its self assessment helpline and be trialling a seasonal model for the self assessment helpline, where queries will be redirected to digital services – such as online guidance, digital assistant and webchat – from 12 June until 4 September. 

The sudden closure decision was taken with no prior consultation and gives taxpayers only four days’ warning. 

The tax department explained that the “seasonal model” will free up 350 full-time equivalent HMRC advisers to answer calls and taxpayer correspondence in other areas, and this will enable the advisers to answer 6,600 calls each day.

Lying Twats!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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Trust in HMRC "Hammered"

 

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has warned that poor service levels at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are "hammering away" at trust in the tax system.

In his inaugural speech, new CIOT president, Gary Ashford, said that HMRC has 6,000 fewer customer service staff than it did five years ago. He argued that this has led to "unacceptable" delays in processing tax returns and dealing with queries.

Ashford said that poor service levels are not just a "pain" for taxpayers and advisers, but they also "harm tax compliance, hinder business activity and hammer away at trust in the tax system".

He called on the government to provide HMRC with the resources it needs to improve its service levels.

The CIOT's warning comes as HMRC is facing increasing pressure to collect more tax revenue to fund the government's spending plans.

However, Ashford said that HMRC's focus on collecting more tax should not come at the expense of providing good service to taxpayers.

He said that "a strong economy needs an effective tax system" and that "trust is essential for an effective tax system".

What does this mean for taxpayers?

The CIOT's warning is a reminder that taxpayers have a right to expect a good level of service from HMRC.

If you are experiencing problems with HMRC, you should contact them directly to raise your concerns.

You can also contact the CIOT for advice.

What can be done to improve HMRC's service levels?

The CIOT has made a number of recommendations to improve HMRC's service levels. These include:

• Increasing the number of customer service staff
• Investing in new technology to improve efficiency
• Making it easier for taxpayers to contact HMRC
• Providing more information and guidance to taxpayers

The government has said that it is committed to improving HMRC's service levels. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to address the concerns raised by the CIOT.

Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC Continues To Be Shite

How the hell can I do my job if I phone HMRC and there is a message which says "We're very busy right now. Please call back later." and then disconnects the call? Succcessive Governments have turned us into a third world country. BTW HMRC have imposed a time limit for my reply!

— Stuart Jones (@StuartJones) June 2, 2023

Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC Closing VAT Registration Helpline in 5 Days!

 

HMRC is closing its VAT registration helpline on Monday, May 22, 2023. The helpline was a subsidiary of the main VAT helpline and was dedicated specifically to helping taxpayers who had a concern around their VAT registration application. Advisers from this helpline will be redeployed to spend their entire time processing VAT registration applications instead of answering calls through the helpline.

HMRC says the decision to close the helpline was made after a review of taxpayer service offerings. The agency says it is committed to being responsive to taxpayer needs and to ensuring that its business model represents the best possible value for money for the taxpayer.

HMRC says taxpayers who have a concern around their VAT registration application can still get help by contacting the main VAT helpline on 0300 200 3701. 

This is of course a load of old wank. 

Agents were originally told in an email from HMRC that the service will close on 22 May 2024. As such people have been given just 5 days notice!

This is yet another example of HMRC talking bollocks wrt caring about handling taxpayer queries!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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How To Simplify The Tax System

 

How to simplify the tax system:

1. Reduce the number of taxes. The UK has a complex tax system with a wide variety of taxes, including income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, National Insurance, VAT, excise duties, and stamp duty. Reducing the number of taxes would make the system simpler and easier to understand.
2. Flatten the income tax brackets. The UK income tax system has five different tax brackets, with rates ranging from 20% to 45%. Flattening the income tax brackets would reduce the complexity of the system and make it easier for taxpayers to calculate their tax liability.
3. Remove the personal allowance taper. The personal allowance is the amount of income that you can earn before you start paying income tax. The personal allowance is currently £12,570, but it is tapered away for higher earners. Removing the personal allowance taper would simplify the system and make it fairer.
4. Reduce the number of tax reliefs. The UK tax system has a wide variety of tax reliefs, which can be complex and difficult to understand. Reducing the number of tax reliefs would make the system simpler and easier to comply with.
5. Improve the tax code. The UK tax code is over 100,000 pages long and is constantly being updated. This makes it difficult for taxpayers to understand their tax obligations. Improving the tax code would make it simpler and easier to understand.

These are just some of the steps that could be taken to simplify the UK tax system. By taking these steps, the government could make the system simpler, fairer, and easier to comply with.

In addition to the above, the government could also consider the following:

• Consolidating tax legislation. The UK tax code is currently spread out over a number of different Acts of Parliament. Consolidating this legislation into a single document would make it easier for taxpayers to find and understand the rules that apply to them.
• Using technology to improve tax administration. The government could use technology to improve the way that taxes are collected and administered. This could include things like using online filing and payment systems, and making it easier for taxpayers to get help and advice.
• Working with businesses and taxpayers to improve the tax system. The government could work with businesses and taxpayers to get their input on how to improve the tax system. This could be done through things like surveys, focus groups, and roundtables.

By taking these steps, the government could make the tax system simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

Suffice to say, it won't!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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ICAEW Asks HMRC To Drop Quarterly Reporting

 

In a letter addressed to HMRC’s Joanna Rowland and Jonathan Athow, ICAEW’s Frank Haskew said:

"In particular, we consider that the administrative burden associated with quarterly updates is disproportionate and needs a rethink. Even when a taxpayer is maintaining digital records on a regular basis, having to ensure that these records are complete and checked by specific quarterly deadlines adds extra compliance burdens, especially where a bookkeeper or agent is involved as we expect in the majority of cases. Quarterly updates provide HMRC with little or no assurance about the quality of the underlying digital records. One of the reasons why quarterly reports are getting all the attention is because they can lead to late submission penalties. 

Record keeping penalties are not being reformed despite that being the primary behaviour that needs to change. We suggest that HMRC starts by introducing the requirements to maintain digital records and to submit details of income from self-employment and property directly from software but that the current annual reporting cycle is maintained. Quarterly reporting could be considered in the future, once an annual system is established, if that does not lead a sufficient improvement in record keeping. We anticipate, however, that given the increased impetus towards digitalisation, that requiring the use of software and digital records should provide most of the benefits sought. More frequent MTD ITSA reporting could be considered for those VAT registered businesses that already report on a quarterly cycle. Quarterly updates could be optional."

Pound to a penny HMRC does not drop the requirement!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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• Attend any meeting with HMRC
• Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
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Please click here for details.

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