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From: [name and address supplied]
To: Simon Burns, MP for Chelmsford
Dear Mr Burns,
I am writing in conjunction with Mike Truman's article in Taxation on 26 January 2011 with regard to the delays being experienced by agents in receiving replies to correspondence (a copy of this article is enclosed for your perusal).
I wish to add my voice to the growing numbers trying to obtain a satisfactory outcome to the problems encountered. In particular, the processing of form SA1. These are submitted on behalf of taxpayers to advise HMRC that they need to complete self assessment tax returns.
After submission late last year, I was advised that these forms were taking six weeks to be processed, thus meaning the reference numbers would not be received until after the personal tax return deadline of 31 January.
I latterly contacted the agent helpline (specifically set up with staff members with at least five years' experience and thus better placed to assist agents with their queries) to ask a technical query, and was told that it would need to be passed to a technician.
The technician was unable to help me and advised that she would send my query to the technical support team and arrange a call-back. Current estimated call-back time is six weeks. I only hope I can remember what my query was when they do call back.
There are numerous other experiences that I could lament, but I would urge you to write to David Gauke at the Treasury to ask that he responds, setting out the time limits that he thinks are 'reasonable' and would provide a 'reasonable' service to advisors and clients both.
Mike Truman has provided suggested response times in his article, but has currently been unable to obtain a response.
Your assistance in this matter will be invaluable.
