HMRC faces questions about ‘short notice’ of self-assessment helpline changes
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced last week that it will pilot a new “seasonal model” for the helpline, to help free up advisers to answer urgent calls on other lines and answer customer correspondence. HMRC will trial directing self-assessment queries from the helpline to the department’s digital services, including its online guidance, digital assistant and webchat. The helpline will reopen on September 4 2023 so people can receive expert support in the five months leading up to the self-assessment deadline on January 31 2024.
Harriett Baldwin, chairwoman of the Treasury Committee, has written to HMRC to ask several questions, including whether the move has been prompted by staffing issues in the department, or backlogs or issues in other areas. She has also asked whether the closure of the helpline is related to HMRC’s homeworking policy, as well as what contingency arrangements are in place should taxpayer detriment be greater than expected during the trial. HMRC has previously said that the self-assessment helpline receives far fewer calls over the summer, with calls around 50% higher between January and April compared with June to August.