HMRC - like going back in time 30 years

Guinness Boy · Sep 7, 2015

I know there are a few taxmen that follow the club (yes I know The Cardinal but I'm sure there are others). Does it take special training before someone is allowed to answer the phone there? I have a calculation that I think is wrong and would , at least, like explaining. Just phoned to be told there was a 35 minute wait just to get hold of someone. Also lines close at 4.30 on a Friday still. It's like the last 30 years never happened.

Official Old Man · Sep 7, 2015

I took 30 minutes the other week but the person was very helpful. Luckily it's an 03 number included in my free calls rather than an 084.

beefypigeon · Sep 7, 2015

I received an email from them earlier, which I thought was a bit strange as they almost always send post. I need to phone them later to question the validity of the email... I just know I'll be waiting for easily half an hour and I can think of better ways to spend my lunch break!

NooBHA · Sep 7, 2015

beefypigeon said:
I received an email from them earlier, which I thought was a bit strange as they almost always send post. I need to phone them later to question the validity of the email... I just know I'll be waiting for easily half an hour and I can think of better ways to spend my lunch break!

HMRC don't correspond by email. The only email correspondence they use is automated emails to acknowledge the receipt on ''on line'' completed forms which taxpayers themselves have completed

Thunder Bolt · Sep 7, 2015

All civil service departments have had their staff numbers slashed. Anyone leaving or retiring haven't been replaced. Those that are left are stretched to the limits.

KZNSeagull · Sep 7, 2015

beefypigeon said:
I received an email from them earlier, which I thought was a bit strange as they almost always send post. I need to phone them later to question the validity of the email... I just know I'll be waiting for easily half an hour and I can think of better ways to spend my lunch break!

I get those too telling me they owe me 100k tax refund and they just need my bank account number to transfer the money into! Do you think I should respond?

Tight shorts · Sep 7, 2015

The phone line is a disgrace. Most online services are great, anything by post is a joke. Most people give up before getting through on the phone line. You can actually get a generic answer quicker through Twitter. If you need to change your tax code, it's quicker to use the online method. Good luck
https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortfor...me=&location=43&origin=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk

Surf's Up · Sep 7, 2015

Thunder Bolt said:
All civil service departments have had their staff numbers slashed. Anyone leaving or retiring haven't been replaced. Those that are left are stretched to the limits.

Maybe they need to think about modernising their systems to help compensate? Also given the political imperative to catch tax dodgers cutting back on staffing in HMRC would seem, at first glance, to be a bit of a false economy??

Herr Tubthumper · Sep 7, 2015

Guinness Boy said:
I know there are a few taxmen that follow the club (yes I know The Cardinal but I'm sure there are others). Does it take special training before someone is allowed to answer the phone there? I have a calculation that I think is wrong and would , at least, like explaining. Just phoned to be told there was a 35 minute wait just to get hold of someone. Also lines close at 4.30 on a Friday still. It's like the last 30 years never happened.

I told them I earn over a million a year, they don't bother me for tax anymore.

#DavesMates

dazzer6666 · Sep 7, 2015

beefypigeon said:
I received an email from them earlier, which I thought was a bit strange as they almost always send post. I need to phone them later to question the validity of the email... I just know I'll be waiting for easily half an hour and I can think of better ways to spend my lunch break!

Hover your cursor over the email address so you can see what it is.....it'll be dodgy.

8ace · Sep 7, 2015

beefypigeon said:
I received an email from them earlier, which I thought was a bit strange as they almost always send post. I need to phone them later to question the validity of the email... I just know I'll be waiting for easily half an hour and I can think of better ways to spend my lunch break!

The do send some stuff by email - I think you have to opt in for it though.
The emails just say you need to go on the Gov Gateway site and do something (pay them money usually

).

Pavilionaire · Sep 7, 2015

Tip - bogus emails purporting to be HMRC often include the word "fiscal". HMRC never use this word, it is an Americanism.

They don't use email, they still fax stuff, 30 mins plus for a wait- time and it takes months to process basic forms. It's scarily bad, and Tax Returns are set to be abolished with 4 years?! I

Westdene Seagull · Sep 7, 2015

Thunder Bolt said:
All civil service departments have had their staff numbers slashed. Anyone leaving or retiring haven't been replaced. Those that are left are stretched to the limits.

But still seem capable of sending a dozen contradictory letters about a simple underpayment of tax. I get their numbers have been slashed, and therefore would expect a delay in responses, but they could help themselves if they actually gave the CORRECT answer in the FIRST bloody letter. Really, they are dim and useless at HMRC but not as bad as the DWP.

Westdene Seagull · Sep 7, 2015

Herr Tubthumper said:
I told them I earn over a million a year, they don't bother me for tax anymore.

#DavesMates

Which makes you safe until your mate Corbyn takes control !

NooBHA · Sep 7, 2015

Pavilionaire said:
Tip - bogus emails purporting to be HMRC often include the word "fiscal". HMRC never use this word, it is an Americanism.

They don't use email, they still fax stuff, 30 mins plus for a wait- time and it takes months to process basic forms. It's scarily bad, and Tax Returns are set to be abolished with 4 years?! I

Thats not exactly accurate that HMRC never use the word ''fiscal''

A Fiscal year end in the UK is a 5th April Year End whereas a fiscal year end in the US coincides with the normal Calendar year end of 31st December.

You are correct that these emails are bogus though but i am not sure that Tax Returns will be abolished within 4 years though

dazzer6666 · Sep 7, 2015

As long as you don't have to speak to anyone they are OK in my experience. I did my tax return online as usual last month and was due a repayment this year - 15 mins to do the return, and I had the money in my account within 4 days.

Guinness Boy · Sep 7, 2015

dazzer6666 said:
As long as you don't have to speak to anyone they are OK in my experience. I did my tax return online as usual last month and was due a repayment this year - 15 mins to do the return, and I had the money in my account within 4 days.

I've always done mine online but they've adjusted it themselves this time. The letter said "please let us know if there is anything you don't agree with (there is) or do not understand in our calculation. Our telephone number is shown above" (but makes you wait 35 mins, has a voice recognition program that doesn't work properly and tries to fob you off).

dazzer6666 · Sep 7, 2015

Guinness Boy said:
I've always done mine online but they've adjusted it themselves this time. The letter said "please let us know if there is anything you don't agree with (there is) or do not understand in our calculation. Our telephone number is shown above" (but makes you wait 35 mins, has a voice recognition program that doesn't work properly and tries to fob you off).

gits

GOM · Sep 7, 2015

Guinness Boy said:
I've always done mine online but they've adjusted it themselves this time. The letter said "please let us know if there is anything you don't agree with (there is) or do not understand in our calculation. Our telephone number is shown above" (but makes you wait 35 mins, has a voice recognition program that doesn't work properly and tries to fob you off).

Remember, if you are employed they know exactly how much you have earned.

tinycowboy · Sep 7, 2015

Guinness Boy said:
I've always done mine online but they've adjusted it themselves this time. The letter said "please let us know if there is anything you don't agree with (there is) or do not understand in our calculation. Our telephone number is shown above" (but makes you wait 35 mins, has a voice recognition program that doesn't work properly and tries to fob you off).

I hate that automated system - "OK, you've told me that you want to talk about a self-assessment return. Is this correct? If it is correct, say "Yes". If it's not correct, say "No". Half an hour later: "OK, you've told me that you want to talk about capital gains tax in respect of your self-assessment form for the year ended 5th April 2015. Is this correct?" etc etc. I don't get annoyed easily, but that system really tries my patience.......

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