Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

HMRC blasted for taking over THREE years to deal with basic enquiry

by August 11, 2023
August 11, 2023
HMRC blasted for taking over THREE years to deal with basic enquiry

A leading accountant has labelled HMRC as ‘dead in the water’ – after receiving a response to an enquiry submitted in 2020 more than three years later

JF Hornby & Co requested a simple administrative change be made to one of their client’s accounts on January 13, 2020.

Almost three-and-a-half years later – on June 20, 2023 – HMRC finally got around to responding, saying they could not complete the request.

Tom Southward, a partner at JF Hornby & Co which is based in Ulverston, Cumbria, said: “The troubles at HMRC are well documented and we are used to dealing with incompetence, unanswered calls and long lead times for an answer to even the most basic of questions.

“But three-and-a-half years really does take the biscuit; we could hardly believe it when our client received the letter. HMRC is on its knees; if it were a building it would be dilapidated with a family of pigeons living inside. Something needs to happen because the services provided by this government department are vital for businesses trying to navigate a tricky economy.”

HMRC was recently described as ‘disastrously understaffed’ by an inside source.

Their damning assessment of the under-fire service came amid a row about the much-maligned ‘seasonal’ closure of the self-assessment helpline from June 12 until September – a move which sparked particular dismay among business owners who needed to send their quarterly tax return by 31 July.

Earlier this year, HMRC was grilled by the Treasury Committee amid claims that taxpayers calling its helpline were kept on hold for hours before being cut off without speaking to staff.

The Committee asked whether HMRC recognised these reports, what steps had been taken to prevent such issues, and whether the delays were linked to call centre staff working from home.

In response, HMRC admitted that the average wait time for its Self Assessment helpline in January 23 was 27 minutes, compared with 12 minutes the previous year and suggested that if taxpayers were to use online services rather than calling the helpline, waiting times would fall.

Tom said: “The system is fundamentally broken. HMRC is on its last legs and my advice would be do not resuscitate. We need a modern, fit-for-purpose service that is equipped to cater to the needs of the public and professional services dealing with enquiries on their behalf.

“It’s difficult to see how the present situation can be turned around. Simply telling people to go online instead of using the helpline isn’t the way forward.

“We need intervention and a plan from the very top of government to ensure these fundamental services are brought back on track.”

HMRC were contacted for a response.

Read more:
HMRC blasted for taking over THREE years to deal with basic enquiry

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
UK economy records better-than-expected growth in second quarter of 2023
next post
Dem gubernatorial candidate took money from CCP-linked businessman, Hunter Biden art buyer

You may also like

UK Export Finance helps Surrey cleantech firm supply...

September 14, 2023

Sunniest April on record lifts UK retail sales...

May 13, 2025

National Apprenticeship Week: Using apprenticeships as a workforce...

February 2, 2024

Two Government Ministers Quit, Dealing Fresh Blow to...

March 26, 2024

Simply Asset Finance Secures £120m Loan Facility from...

June 28, 2024

Applications open for Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme, to...

May 4, 2023

Ulugbek Shadmanov’s case and UK Investment in Uzbekistan

January 27, 2025

Shoplifting reaches record high as thieves operate without...

July 25, 2024

John Lewis suffers first half loss of £99m...

September 15, 2022

Siemens to invest £100m in Chippenham rail factory...

March 5, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • ‘Gone too far’: GOP lawmakers rally around Trump after Musk raises Epstein allegations

      June 6, 2025
    • Democrats begin to embrace Musk amid Trump spat after party railed against him as a ‘dictator’

      June 6, 2025
    • Trump administration defends US and Israeli sovereignty with new sanctions against four ICC judges

      June 5, 2025
    • Musk unleashes wild Epstein claim against Trump after being booted from DOGE

      June 5, 2025
    • Three Charts Showing Proper Moving Average Alignment

      June 5, 2025
    • Biden only hand-signed one pardon during final spree, and it was his most controversial one

      June 5, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,149)
    • Investing (2,011)
    • Politics (15,542)
    • Stocks (3,129)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved