Yes, it is true, the HMRC self-assessment tax return helpline has been closed for the entirety of the summer.
Any taxpayer hoping to contact the HMRC tax return helpline for help with their self-assessment tax return will now have to use digital services, this is until 4 September 2023. During this time, HMRC says it will trial prioritising online guidance, digital assistance and web chat.
According to HMRC, the self-assessment tax return helpline has 50% less demand over the summer, even though around 5 million calls are made to the number every year. Between June and August 2022, nearly 1.2m people called the helpline, with over 900,000 staying on the line to try and reach an agent, with the remainder deciding not to wait on hold.
HMRC has said that this move will free up 350 advisers who will be able to take on ‘more urgent’ calls on other lines.
Tim Humphries, our Tax Partner commented “HMRC closing their helpline raises a number of concerns, mainly for individuals who deal with their own tax affairs without the help of an Agent or adviser. This of course will not impact any of our clients or those that opt to use tax professionals. This will have a significant impact on some groups of taxpayers, mainly those who are digitally excluded or anyone that cannot currently access the service they require online”.
If you require help with your self-assessment tax return a member of our specialist private client team would be happy to assist.
