HMRC is to shut down the major telephone line used by millions in WEEKS

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will close a major telephone line for six months from next month.

The Ministry of Government will close the self-assessment helpline from April 8 to September 30, which received three million calls in 2023.

HMRC is closing its self-assessment helpline in a bid to encourage customers onlineCredit: Alamy

The phone line will be closed at the same time every year, HMRC said.

Meanwhile, the helpline will reopen between October this year and March 2025, but only to assist customers with queries “that can be resolved quickly and easily”.

We’ve asked HMRC whether the reduction in service from October to March will also be a permanent change and will update this story once we hear back.

HMRC said advisers will continue to be available for customers who are unable to use online services or who need extra help due to health or personal circumstances.

It added that all other helplines will continue to function as they currently do.

The Foreign Ministry said the move to close the major telephone line was part of its efforts to modernize the tax system.

But it means customers will have to go online to HMRC’s website or via the Department’s app to carry out requests.

Angela MacDonald, Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive of HMRC, said: “Online services have transformed our lives and often provide a better service for tax management – they are faster, easier and always available.

“By changing our services to encourage customers to offer online self-service where possible, our helpline advisors can focus support where it is needed most: helping people with complex tax questions and those who are vulnerable and need extra support.

“We must maximize every pound of taxpayers’ money. By embracing online self-service, we can help more customers and improve our customer service without spending additional government money.”

Concerns have been raised about HMRC’s latest announcement that changes were being “forced” on taxpayers.

Harriett Baldwin, chair of the Treasury Select Committee, said HMRC has not yet demonstrated that the department or the public are “ready to make such a monumental change in the way they resolve tax issues”.

She added: “It is a great shame that HMRC have decided that it is now time to effectively close all options for people to contact them by telephone for large parts of the year.

“We’ve heard time and time again that every effort is being made to help people solve problems online.”

HMRC’s latest announcement comes after it launched a trial closure of its self-assessment helpline last summer.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs closed the helpline between June 12 and September 3.

Skint Coronation Street star Simon Gregson sells old furniture in a bid to pay off a £100,000 tax bill

At the time, HMRC said the ‘seasonal model’ would allow staff to answer around 6,600 other calls a day.

The Department of State says 97% of self-assessment customers file their tax returns online and not over the phone line.

Who uses the helpline?

Self-assessment is a system that HMRC uses to collect income tax.

Tax is usually automatically withheld from wages, pensions and savings, but some people and businesses with other incomes do not need to declare this on their tax returns.

This applies to the following:

Earned more than £2,500 renting out property
You or your partner received child benefit on a high income and either of you had an annual income of more than £50,000
Have received more than £2,500 in other tax-free income, for example from tips or commission
Are independent sole proprietorships
Are limited company directors
Its shareholders
Do employees declare expenses of more than € 2,500?
Have an annual income of more than €100,000

How do I submit a tax return?

To self-file a tax return, you must first register with HMRC, who will then provide you with a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).

If you have to file a tax return and have not sent it before, you must register for the self-declaration no later than October 5.

You can do this by visiting www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment.

If you have previously registered and already have a UTR, you do not need to go through this step again.

Once you have your UTR, you can log in via the ‘Self Assessment tax return’ section of HMRC’s website by visiting www.gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return.

You can then file your self-declaration tax return online.

The deadline for sending a return online is January 31 every year.

If you need a paper copy of the master tax return itself, please call HMRC on 03000 200 3610 and request an SA100 form.

The deadline for sending a return via a paper form is October 31st every year.

You must pay the tax due no later than midnight on January 31 each year.

HMRC will accept your payment on the date you make it, not the date it appears in the account.

If you file a tax return late, you will be fined by HMRC.

If you’re a tax customer yourself and you’re concerned about the coming change, HMRC’s website has a guide explaining how to use it.

You can also get help from an accountant or tax advisor.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.