HMRC Self Assessment "Helpline" - waiting times
Discussion
Anyone succeeded in getting a response from this so-called service?
I will be having nightmares accompanied by the soundtrack of Handel's "Arrival of The Queen of Bloody Sheba" tonight.
Half an hour on hold this afternoon, then gave up.
An hour on hold this evening, then gave up.
What a god-awful shambles they are; I despair.
I will be having nightmares accompanied by the soundtrack of Handel's "Arrival of The Queen of Bloody Sheba" tonight.
Half an hour on hold this afternoon, then gave up.
An hour on hold this evening, then gave up.
What a god-awful shambles they are; I despair.
Sir Bagalot said:
So, lets get this straight.
You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
Don't be so presumptious. There are all sorts of reasons why people don't complete their tax returns "instantly".You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
Firstly, it is virtually impossible to complete a tax return for the previous year in 6 April (the day after the end of the tax year) With the best will in the world, most people won't have all the information they need to complete their return until early May. Often it takes much longer to gather all the information together as you may have to wait for third parties to provide you with all the information you need.
In most cases, people should have all they need by mid August at the latest - but I have seen plenty of cases where people are still waiting for necessary information in October or November.
Many people complete tax returns because they run businesses and require annual accounts to be prepared first before they can even start their return. Sometimes these accounts might be partnership accounts with complicated profit share structures - which may take time to finalise.
So, before you start hurling brickbats at individuals, you should recognise that everybody's circumstances may not be as simple as yours.
I've totally given up trying to do the damn things online. Never come across such an user unfriendly system in my life. Doesn't seem to remember or recall usernames or passwords. They resend you passwords that then don't work. You spend ages on the phone trying to explain, they tell you that you're lying. Eventually they agree to resend you passwords, still they don't work. Back on the phone to them, have them walk me through the process, eventually they concede the problem is at their end, they fiddle around in the background & eventually I can get access. Go to do it the next year....same bleedin problem. Why are HMRC incapable of putting a username & password together?
So I give them the paper things in October.
So I give them the paper things in October.
I file the paper return as well - though I thought once you did it on-line you weren't given the option of a paper tax return. My tax affairs are very simple 
The tax helpline can cost quite a lot in phone charges and must be very annoying seeing money wasted when you're on hold for ages.
The tax helpline can cost quite a lot in phone charges and must be very annoying seeing money wasted when you're on hold for ages.
Or use an accountant
I use dedicated professional software which bypasses the HMRC website completely and files the return in a much more straightforward way. It also fully integrates business accounts etc with the tax return so, once the business accounts are prepared, the figures will transfer automatically from the "accounts preparation package" through to the "self assessment tax return package" - putting all the accounts data into the correct boxes that the self assessment return expects.
It's not cheap though.
I use dedicated professional software which bypasses the HMRC website completely and files the return in a much more straightforward way. It also fully integrates business accounts etc with the tax return so, once the business accounts are prepared, the figures will transfer automatically from the "accounts preparation package" through to the "self assessment tax return package" - putting all the accounts data into the correct boxes that the self assessment return expects.
It's not cheap though.
Eric Mc said:
Or use an accountant
I use dedicated professional software which bypasses the HMRC website completely and files the return in a much more straightforward way. It also fully integrates business accounts etc with the tax return so, once the business accounts are prepared, the figures will transfer automatically from the "accounts preparation package" through to the "self assessment tax return package" - putting all the accounts data into the correct boxes that the self assessment return expects.
It's not cheap though.
I use dedicated professional software which bypasses the HMRC website completely and files the return in a much more straightforward way. It also fully integrates business accounts etc with the tax return so, once the business accounts are prepared, the figures will transfer automatically from the "accounts preparation package" through to the "self assessment tax return package" - putting all the accounts data into the correct boxes that the self assessment return expects.
It's not cheap though.
dirty boy said:
Not to mention we have a dedicated telephone number to HMRC which is usually answered in under a minute.
I'm only flipping PAYE when I'm in the UK anyhow!!But nice try lads at drumming up business!
Believe me, at this time of year the last thing I want are new self assessment clients.
Having said that "only PAYE" is often a recipe for total lack of awareness and control over one's own tax position.
There are many, many "only PAYE" taxpayers who can, and do, benefit from submitting self assessment tax returns.
Having said that "only PAYE" is often a recipe for total lack of awareness and control over one's own tax position.
There are many, many "only PAYE" taxpayers who can, and do, benefit from submitting self assessment tax returns.
Eric Mc said:
Believe me, at this time of year the last thing I want are new self assessment clients.
Having said that "only PAYE" is often a recipe for total lack of awareness and control over one's own tax position.
There are many, many "only PAYE" taxpayers who can, and do, benefit from submitting self assessment tax returns.
Indeed, I've turned down two new clients since Christmas, not to mention 'usually' those coming to you this time of year will do it time and time again.Having said that "only PAYE" is often a recipe for total lack of awareness and control over one's own tax position.
There are many, many "only PAYE" taxpayers who can, and do, benefit from submitting self assessment tax returns.
No amount of 'client education' on timely delivering of records can help!
Good luck Eric! I know how you feel as I look at the 45 hours additional hours i've done since the beginning of the month
I do a self-assessment on line, and the main reason (which may not be true, I've never checked) is that if they want some money from me, I'd rather not pay it until I have to. If I do my return in September, I assume I'll have to pay any tax due in September, so I'd rather just keep it earning mega-interest than hand it over a minute earlier than I have to. Nearly backfired last year as I couldn't find my password, but sorted it in the end.
droopsnoot said:
I do a self-assessment on line, and the main reason (which may not be true, I've never checked) is that if they want some money from me, I'd rather not pay it until I have to. If I do my return in September, I assume I'll have to pay any tax due in September, so I'd rather just keep it earning mega-interest than hand it over a minute earlier than I have to. Nearly backfired last year as I couldn't find my password, but sorted it in the end.
Due date is still the same I believe, 31st JanuaryEric Mc said:
Sir Bagalot said:
So, lets get this straight.
You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
Don't be so presumptious. There are all sorts of reasons why people don't complete their tax returns "instantly".You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
Firstly, it is virtually impossible to complete a tax return for the previous year in 6 April (the day after the end of the tax year) With the best will in the world, most people won't have all the information they need to complete their return until early May. Often it takes much longer to gather all the information together as you may have to wait for third parties to provide you with all the information you need.
In most cases, people should have all they need by mid August at the latest - but I have seen plenty of cases where people are still waiting for necessary information in October or November.
Many people complete tax returns because they run businesses and require annual accounts to be prepared first before they can even start their return. Sometimes these accounts might be partnership accounts with complicated profit share structures - which may take time to finalise.
So, before you start hurling brickbats at individuals, you should recognise that everybody's circumstances may not be as simple as yours.
I do mine in October and then pay at the last moment. Leaving completing it from mid Dec onwards will lead to delays if you have queries.
I called the helpline yesterday and it answered pretty quickly. The chap was really helpful, and I kept him on the call for a good 25 mins, so if they're as helpful to everyone that probably explains why the queues are so long!
I leave the tax return til the final month as I like to submit the return and pay up all at the same time, and would rather not part with my cash sooner than I have to!
I leave the tax return til the final month as I like to submit the return and pay up all at the same time, and would rather not part with my cash sooner than I have to!
Sir Bagalot said:
So, lets get this straight.
You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
I wonder the same every year.You have had since April 6th to complete your tax return.
You leave it until 18 days before the deadline and are now moaning that the self assessment helpline are kinda busy.
I'm sorry but
Mine may done and dusted just after April.
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