As per HMRC
"Our helplines are currently closed due to a technical issue, which we're urgently working to resolve. We apologise to customers and advise them to try calling us later. Our digital services remain available."
HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Pot Luck advice... I'm not going to disagree with that one. You might get someone who knows what they're doing.. then again.. it might be some who's had a fortnight training and a script
ReplyDeleteHMRC tax advice lottery. Dial the number and take a punt ..
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/news/hmrc-customer-service-hits-crisis-point/
How is this allowed to continue without MP oversight? They just shrug their shoulders and hide behind excuses.
ReplyDeleteWould they wait a year if they were chasing punters for money?
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/17/tax-ni-hmrc-pay-refunds-claims
I've mentioned this before, all the tax legislation in the UK isn't fit for purpose. Hyper complex rules and regulations that benefits the elite but not regular people.
ReplyDelete5.5 billion people overpay tax in some form, yet others fall foul and have a brown envelope.
This country is down the toilet and without wholesale change there's no coming back.
https://www.ft.com/content/2c8d4994-2326-4c0e-8655-000f11fb051b
Only after being hauled over the coals. The victims of this scandal are owed compensation too and the government should make sure it's paid out immediately.
ReplyDeleteThe people responsible should consider their position.
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/hmrc-reinstates-17000-frozen-child-benefit-cases-after-checks-error
Another win for the obligatory HMRC focus group chaired by a Graduate Fast Tracker Muffin with a great idea, attendees nodding like a spaniel wanting treats..or Jaffa cakes..
ReplyDeleteHMRC, do the basics. Answer the phone, don't harass Bingo Betty for a £89 bullshit penalty. If you owe punters money, pay it to them within days not 12 months
Penalty points. You're not in the position to issue penalty points. Do your @#£&ING job, how about that.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/news/hmrc-to-replace-fines-with-penalty-point-system/
Off topic but I note Field Force are still using BMWs here in 2026...an HMRC apologist lied on here a few months ago and desperate tried to suppress this fact!!
ReplyDeleteSomeone has made a subject access request so the truth is out. Luxury cars for HMRC Field Force employees is morally indefensible
Delete@11:09. For God's sake give it a rest.
DeleteAs I posted on the relevant thread, I submitted an FOI request to HMRC on 22nd December and received acknowledgement of it's receipt on 23rd December.
I was told that I should receive a reply by 23rd January (today) and if I didn't they would let me know the reason for the delay and when I should receive a full reply.
As yet, disappointingly, I have heard nothing. If there is still no response within 48-72 hours I shall pursue the matter with urgency.
Not perhaps the behaviour one would expect from somebody trying desperately trying to suppress facts. But then again who knows what goes on inside your head.
HMRC driving around in taxpayer funded luxury cars whilst taxpayers struggle to put food on the table. It's insulting. Come on Starmer, sort this mob out.
Delete23rd January @14:23.
DeleteA subject access request (SAR) is when a taxpayer requests a copy of all information HMRC holds about them. How would that mean "the truth is out"?
Spoiler alert - it wouldn't.
Field Force don't use luxury cars.
@14:09 BMW's aren't luxury cars in your world? It's frankly disgusting that HMRC workers are running around in BMWs paid for by the public purse
Delete@14:23 I don't believe an FOI has even been made. Why push for information that will show one's denials are part of a pro-HMRC agenda?
Delete@19:31.
DeleteBMWs are indeed luxury cars in my world.
But HMRC aren't providing staff with them.
@19:33.
Whatever. But I will be sending Ken a copy of the correspondence when all is settled.
Of course if you don't believe me you could always submit your own FoI request. Too much of an effort I suppose.
anon 18:11 thanks, appreciated :)
Delete@18:11 Thank you for the update. The evidence is that HMRC Field Force are indeed driving BMWs (ergo luxury cars) and we all look forward to seeing the outcome to your FOI (which will prove this fact, if HMRC provide an honest reply, of course).
Delete@11:24.
DeleteYou're welcome.
However I have to point out that as yet there has been no "evidence" produced.
@12:33
DeleteEx field force staff have confirmed on another thread that they are driving BMW cars. Let's see whether HMRC admit it or not
@26 January 2026 commenters -
DeleteI made a SAR to HMRC as a former employee and it revealed notes of meetings that never happened.
A FOI sounds really good but proceed with caution as they are very corrupt
@13:18. Current HMRC staff who I trust have confirmed to me that there are no BMWs used as official vehicles within the department. Hopefully we will find out one way or the other.
Delete@13:44. It is a criminal offence to lie in response to a FOI request. If our friend has 'evidence' of the use of BMWs and they deny it then whoopee.
Yes, ex-Field Force Officer here...HMRC are using BMWs as part of a leasing agreement...sure it would be cheaper to lease budget friendly cars
Delete@1:57am See above - leased vehicles are still official vehicles. Your sources in HMRC are unreliable as they are talking shite. I'm ex Field Force and know people still in it - yes, they do have leased BMWs.
Delete@01:57 27 Jan 26
DeleteWhy shouldn't HMRC staff be given BMWs?
@12:09.
DeletePersonally I couldn't care less what cars HMRC use as long as the leasing agreement provides the taxpayer with decent value for money.
However, the objection on here appears to be that HMRC staff and their relatives are swanning around in high-value luxury cars when they could be using a Penny-farthing just as effectively.
@13:51 As a taxpayer, I have a huge problem with these parasites swanning around in luxury cars. Not only are there more cost efficient cars available than BMWs, these employees are abusing our generosity by then using the BMWs for personal use - when we all know that's tax evasion as well (company car tax??). I beg The Daily Mail to investigate this scandal.
Delete@14:24.
DeleteHMRC doesn't use BMWs.
@21:02 HMRC does in fact use BMWs. No amount of fact-free empty assertions will cda
Delete@10:42 21:02 is like something from George Orwell - well else fails, it asks you to reject the evidence before your eyes.
DeleteI'm ex Field Force and commented on here previously and agree - yes, HMRC collectors each have BMWs. They start and end the day at home. The BMWs are supposed to be for business use only. Anyone with evidence to the contrary should contact their MP with evidence.
The simplest solution to all this? Give the corrupt HMRC staff their P45s and outsource their work. As technology continues to advance, and with Reform matching towards Downing Street with an agenda to cut taxes and shrink the bloated state, this mob will soon be out of 'jobs' anyway.
Delete@11:00 28 January 2026
DeleteThe keywords there are "business use". As an accountant, I want to know why HMRC is allowing their poorly educated employees to get away with unauthorised use of official vehicles. The drama they would cause if a restaurant owner was caught eating a £5 worth of their own stock. It's simply appalling. "BMWs"? Who on earth do they think they are providing state employees with cars like that...
@14:17.
DeleteHave you ever considered actually doing something about it.
Like pursuing the matter with your Member of Parliament.
Like complaining to the police about misconduct in public office.
Or would you prefer to sit on your arse just whining away on a niche website like the rest of the hysterics on here.
Any current or former HMRC who want to talk about the culture in the department, including all the bullying and corruption, should contact the Reform Party. They're the next government, and many past and current civil servants have already come forward to talk with them - completely confidentially.
DeleteWe need to get HMRC back to knowing their place - serving the UK and its people, not senior management and the corrupt cliques that exist right down to the bottom of the organisation.
In my day Fiesta, Astra & Focus cars were the only 'luxury' we had. BMW pool cars, hey? Looks like the current generation are filling their boots with public money before a seismic political shift inevitably happens.
DeleteProsecute which ever manager signed off the BMW deal for HMRC. It reeks of misconduct and corruption. We need full disclosure, then we can scrutinise. I'll certainly be contacting my MP about it.
Delete@13:09.
DeleteGood - at least someone is doing something other than whine.
However, can I point out that as yet the "evidence" for the "BMW deal" consists of one anonymous poster giving no specific details.
@20:53 on January 2026
ReplyDeleteMy local MP won't help expose misconduct at HMRC. He's a far left extremist in the liebour party and it goes against his philosophy
An HMRC Field Force Collector has confirmed to me that they have a BMW provided by HMRC. They are in the East of England region but its the same across the department UK-wide 👁 🧐 😲
ReplyDeleteHighly concerning, and it now needs external analysis to get to the bottom of how it's been authorised.
An HMRC VAT assurance officer has confirmed to me that they have a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce provided by HMRC.
DeleteThey are in the Outer Hebrides but it is the same across the UK.
Highly concerning. Anyone going to do anything about it?
For anyone on here who hasn't already made up their mind - I have received acknowledgement from HMRC of my request for an internal review of the response to my FoI question.
ReplyDeleteI have been promised a reply by 27th February.
What reply did you get, what are you appealing?
DeleteHMRC doesn't want their lease arrangements with BMW to get in the public domain.
DeleteThe HMRC management who authorised the BMWs should be publicly named and shamed.
@12:48.
DeleteI posted a summary on here but it wasn't published.
sorry, but I haven't seen any summary posted in comments waiting for approval. Please repost, and if necessary email it to me. Thanks
DeleteNo problem Ken.
DeleteCan you let me know your email address.
ken@kenfrost.com
DeleteNot sure what, if anything, is going on with the FoI request but it sounds like HMRC are characteristically trying to suppress the truth from emerging about Field Force cars.
DeleteI would be more than willing to contribute to any legal challenge.