Just under 24 hours since they announced permanent cuts to their helplines, HMRC has performed a remarkable u-turn.
Following ‘feedback from concerned stakeholders’, changes to Self Assessment, VAT and PAYE helplines which were announced yesterday will be halted whilst HMRC ‘engages with stakeholders’ to understand and ensure all taxpayers’ needs are met.
The announcement initially drew widespread criticism from a range of customers, industry bodies and accounting professionals.
HMRC chief executive Jim Harra clarified: “We’ve listened to the feedback and we’re halting the helpline changes as we recognise more needs to be done to ensure all taxpayers’ needs are met, whilst also encouraging them to transition to online services.”
