HMRC Has Reopened Self-assessment Helpline
09/09/2023 - 7 minutes readHMRC has reopened self-assessment helpline 0300 200 3310
HMRC has reopened the self-assessment helpline from 4th September onwards.
HMRC self-assessment helpline 0300 200 3310 was closed between 12 June and 4 September 2023 as per HMRC’s announcement on Friday 9th June and a trial to redirect Self Assessment queries from the helpline to HMRC’s digital services was run between 12 June and 4 September 2023.
The three-month closure of the HMRC self-assessment helpline underlines the resourcing problems at HMRC and it was a ‘massive inconvenience’ for taxpayers.
We covered this in detail in a separate article here.
The closure was only temporary and is likely to have affected around 1.2m callers.
It is a sign of the direction of travel at HMRC, where the primary aim is to push taxpayers to online digital services and reduce pressure on helplines and call centre staff.
The self-assessment helpline receives around 5m calls each year, with nearly 4m people staying on through the recorded messages to speak to an HMRC adviser according to the HMRC quarterly performance figures.
This was not the first time HMRC had limited access to helplines, but it was the first time it had completely shut down a service for a significant period.
Self Assessment: general enquiries
Online
If you’ve already contacted HMRC, find out when you should receive a reply
Ask HMRC’s digital assistant to find information about Self Assessment. If the digital assistant cannot help you, you can chat live with an HMRC webchat adviser if they’re available.
Find out more about Self Assessment tax returns
You can also find information such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference, employment history or PAYE tax records in:
- – your personal tax account or business tax account using HMRC online services
- – the official HMRC app
If HMRC needs to contact you about anything confidential they’ll reply by phone or post.
Tell HMRC about a change to your personal details.
You can also watch videos and join webinars for help with Self Assessment.
Problems using HMRC’s online services
Contact HMRC’s online services helpdesk if you:
- – have problems submitting your tax return online
- – have lost your online service username or password
- – get any error messages in your online account or on HMRC forms
Before you call
If you have a National Insurance number and Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference have them with you.
This helpline uses speech recognition software, so you will be asked why you are calling HMRC. If you cannot use speech recognition software, find out how to get help from HMRC if you need extra support.
This helpline may also ask you some security questions. Make sure your personal details and address are up to date in your personal tax account or you could fail telephone security. If you do not have a personal tax account, you can create one before you check your details.
HMRC may ask if you want to add voice identification to your account. You can find out more in the Voice Identification Privacy Notice.
It is closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Post
Write to HMRC at this address with all self-assessment queries except if you want to make a complaint about HMRC.
You do not need to include a street name, city name or PO box when writing to this address.
Couriers should use a different address.
Self Assessment
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1AS
United Kingdom
Get help from HMRC if you need extra support
Help you can get
You can get extra support if your health condition or personal circumstances make it difficult when you contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). For example:
- – you have dyslexia, autism or cognitive difficulties
- – you have reduced mobility or physical disabilities
- – you have sensory disabilities, like a visual, hearing or speech impairment
- – you have mental health conditions, like depression, stress or anxiety
- – you’re experiencing financial hardship – for example, you cannot afford essentials like food, bills or rent
- – you’re a victim of domestic abuse, including economic abuse
- – you’re receiving treatment in a hospital
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
If you need extra support, you can get a phone or video appointment with the extra support team. Ask your advisor when you call an HMRC helpline or use the extra support team webchat service.
Contact HMRC online services if you’re having problems signing in or using an HMRC online service.
There are different ways to contact HMRC if you need:
- to use textphone, webchat or BSL
- information in a different format
- help filling in forms
- more time because of your circumstances
- information in another language
- to appoint someone to talk to HMRC on your behalf
How can MCL Accountants help?
Contact MCL Accountants on 01702 593 029 if you would like us to assist you with your self-assessment queries if you have not been able to speak to them since HMRC has reopened self-assessment helpline. we can speak to HMRC using the agent-dedicated helpline for existing clients or if you need any assistance with the preparation and submission of your business accounts and self-assessment tax returns to HMRC
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Ishan provides financial management, taxation and transactional advice to business entities of all sizes. His expert areas include statutory compliance, business taxation, personal tax & transactional processing and systems. Industry sectors include professional services, retail, hospitality and entertaining & media and advertising services.
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