Help!

HMRC have invited SME's to sign up to an email list that, in theory, will provide them with emails that offer them help and support.

HMRC require those who sign up to provide their:

- name
- email address
- phone number

Additionally, those who wish to sign up will have to answer the following questions:

"To help us ensure our services are meeting your needs, would you please consider the following two statements. We are asking you to provide this information for research purposes only and your answers will not be linked to your HMRC record in any way. There is no right or wrong answer, we would just like to know what you think. 

Thinking about you and your business, how much do you disagree or agree with the following two statements, on a scale of 1 to 9 where 1 is 'Completely disagree' and 9 is 'Completely agree'.

Statement 1 - I understand what my business has to do to meet its obligations to HMRC.

Enter a number from 1 to 9:*

Statement 2 - My business often needs help understanding official forms

Enter a number from 1 to 9:*

Please tick ONE checkbox for each of the following two questions.
From time to time HMRC conducts research to help us understand how we can improve the support we provide to businesses. Would you be willing to take part in research conducted by HMRC?

• Yes, I would be willing to take part in research

• No, I wouldn’t be willing to take part in research

Would you be willing for HMRC to pass your email address to an approved research agency for the purpose of them conducting research on behalf of HMRC?

• Yes, my email can be passed to a research agency

• No, my email can’t be passed to a research agency"

Here is the text of the press release from HMRC:

"Small and medium-sized firms are being invited by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to sign up to receive regular emails giving help and support.

The new service, aimed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs), is chiefly for people who are new to business, either setting up or expanding.

Colin Ford, HMRC’s Head of SME Education Design, said:

“Starting and running a business is challenging and HMRC recognises that its customers sometimes need help to understand their tax affairs.

“Signing up is a simple process. We do not ask for any personal information beyond a name, e-mail address and phone number.

“At a time when businesses need all the help they can get, HMRC is keen to do everything possible to ensure SMEs have the information they need to make their tax affairs as smooth as possible.”

Once a customer signs up, the business will receive about six emails signposting a range of help. The advice available includes videos, interactive tools, factsheets and online presentations or webinars.

The help is tailored to the level that the customer indicates they need and their likely cycle of tax obligations. The email service will not be able to provide answers to specific questions from the signed up companies.

To sign up for the email service, SMEs can go to http://bit.ly/NQuvEw"

Tax does have to be taxing.



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