HMRC to make permanent cuts to helplines

HMRC have just announced that they are to permanently close the public helpline between April and September from April 2024. They will also be making cuts to the VAT and PAYE helplines. Just how that is supposed to help the hard-pressed taxpayer they have neglected to say. An HMRC spokesperson said “There will also always be support available for those who cannot use online services.”, although they ommitted to explain just how this will happen given the long delays in answering postal queries and the closure of the phone helplines. Professional and Parliamentary commenters decried the action and called into question HMRC claims.