HMRC reopening major phone line used by millions TOMORROW after temporary closure

HMRC is reopening a major phone line used by millions tomorrow.

The Government department shut down its self-assessment helpline on June 12 to encourage households to use its digital services instead.

The trial was launched to free up more advisers who could take urgent calls on other lines.

But it is coming to an end, with the helpline opening back up tomorrow.

Self-assessment customers still have five months before they have to submit returns on January 31, 2024.

Angela MacDonald, deputy chief executive officer and second permanent secretary at HMRC, previously said: “We continually review our services to see how they can best serve the public and we are taking steps to improve them.

“A seasonal SA helpline will make more of our expert advisers available where they are most needed during the summer months.”

HMRC says around two thirds of all self-assessment-related calls can be resolved online.

What is self-assessment?

Tax is usually deducted from workers’ wages, pensions and savings, but some have to report it to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

You have to file a self-assessment tax return if:

• your self-employment income was more than £1,000 (before taking off anything you can claim tax relief on)
• your income from renting out property was more than £2,500 (you’ll need to contact HMRC if it was between £1,000 and £2,500)
• you earned more than £2,500 in untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
• your income from savings or investments was £10,000 or more before tax
• you need to pay Capital Gains Tax on profits from selling things like shares or a second home
• you’re a director of a company (unless it was a non-profit organisation, such as a charity)
• you, or your partner’s, income was over £50,000 and you’re claiming Child Benefit
• you have income from abroad that you need to pay tax on, or you live abroad but have an income in the UK
• your taxable income was over £100,000
• if you earned over £50,000 in the 2022/23 tax year and make pension contributions you might have to complete an assessment to claim back the extra tax relief you’re owed
• you’re a trustee of a trust or registered pension scheme
• your state pension was your only source of income and was more than your personal allowance
• you received a P800 from HMRC saying you didn’t pay enough tax last year.

You can file your tax return online on HMRC’s website or by calling 0300 200 3610 and requesting a SA100 tax return form.

The phone line is only open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm though.

Consumer group Which? also offers an online self-assessment tool that works out the calculations for a tax return and submits it to HMRC for you.

The service costs £10 though, or £36 if you’re not a member.

In other tax news, use our step-by-step guide for help filling out a return.

Plus, eight tips to fill in your self-assessment tax return.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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