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01 February 2011
We are urging readers to write to their MPs with regards to HMRC's delays in dealing with correspondence...
From: John K Murray
To: Steve Brine, MP for Winchester & Chandlers Ford
Dear Mr Brine,
I attach a copy of an article that appeared in Taxation, which highlights in general terms the problems the tax profession is having in getting routine matters dealt with by HM Revenue & Customs. This asks that MPs take up the matter at the highest levels.
From a personal point of view I have suffered recently. I had a new client in August 2010. The saga goes as follows:
- Letter to central Yorkshire area on 19 August 2010 explaining situation and asking for a tax return and UTR. This was the office that issued notice of coding in respect of her pension.
- Numerous phone calls to the agents' priority number (24 September; 26 October; 21 December) trying to ascertain position; delays in post opening quoted.
- Form 64-8 sent to central processing centre 26 October 2010; no formal response though a phone call from them this week enquiring about the issue of the UTR and confirmed I was now registered as the agen.
- Paper tax return sent 29 December 2010 to central Yorkshire area; cannot file online without a UTR
- Letter dated 14 January 2011 from Cosham (Hampshire) thanking me for my letter received on 29 October 2010 (presumably the one I sent on 19 August 2010) and apologising for the delay in replying. Issuing an UTR. I have responded so will expect a reply in June/July.
This needs sorting and quickly. Mine is a small practice. My heart goes out to the large practices where life is becoming almost intolerable.
John K. Murray Taxation and Accountancy Services
I've got a saga to beat that by a distance.
I was explicitly advised to complain (by someone at HMRC who was only trying to be helpful) as it was the only way the agent authorisation would get looked at in a reasonable timescale. Otherwise it would just go into the black hole that was unanswered post.
All this while the DMU was actively on the case (for a debt that wasn't in fact due) and was unwilling to communicate with me whilst the authorisation wasn't logged even though I had attempted to fax it to them directly.
The taxpayer lived in Yorkshire, the tax office appeared to be in Devon and the Collector....take your pick from four, none of which was in Yorkshire or Devon. Absolutely hopeless!
If I get the time I will set it out for the relevant MP and will send Mike a copy.
Andy Wells, AVN Venus Tax LLP