The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
News On Line
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed they will restrict the self-assessment helpline to priority queries only from 11 December 2023 until 31 January 2024.
Customers calling with other queries will instead be asked to engage with online self-service methods of resolving queries. The phone lines will therefore be reserved for more complex queries or for those who require further support and those who can’t eng age digitally.
Provided examples of queries HMRC feels can be resolved quicker online are: • chasing the progress of a self-assessment registration • ending a self-assessment registration • checking a Unique Taxpayer Reference number
HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, Angela MacDonald, comments: “This is a busy time for customers who want to get their taxes sorted. We want to help customers resolve any issues in the quickest and easiest way, which is often through our online services.
“The vast majority of Self Assessment customers file their returns digitally, so we’re helping them make the next step to resolving simpler queries through our online services.
“Our expert advisers will be there to help people with urgent and more complicated queries as well as helping the small number who are unable to access our online services.”
As HMRC moves towards a ‘digital - first’ approach we are likely to see more efforts being made to raise awareness of the online services on offer and incentivise their use.
However, this is not the first time HMRC has restricted the phone lines for self-assessment queries, and it came under some criticism for the practice last time. The Treasury Committee heard oral evidence from HMRC representatives on 18 October 2023 regarding the summer shutdown of the hotline with only two days’ notice.
While this restriction is not a complete shutdown, affected companies have still only received four days’ notice, this time around. This is double the amount of notice, but is it enough?
Back to contents
Draft regulations published to amend MTD for income tax mandation dates Published: 8 December 2023 Emailed: 13 December 2023
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has released draft regulations covering the amendments to the staging dates of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax.
The changes presented are: •
revised MTD mandation date and threshold improving the design of quarterly updates
•
• simplifying processes by removing End of Period statements • introducing easements for landlords with jointly owned property • exempting specific groups from MTD requirements. •
HMRC welcome views on the proposed legislation, the consultation period ends on 12 January 2023. This has come as a result of the Making Tax Digital Small Business Review: Outcome, exploring the needs of small and medium enterprises when it comes to the roll out of MTD for income tax.
Make sure you have your voice heard if you have any strong opinions on the proposals.
Back to contents
OOTLAR: some more 2024/25 rates confirmed Published: 12 December 2023 Emailed: 13 December 2023
cipp.org.uk
Page 138 of 314
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker