HMRC's VAT registration helpline to close from 22 May

From Monday 22 May 2023 HMRC will close the VAT registration helpline. Advisers from this helpline will be redeployed to spend their entire time processing VAT registration applications instead of answering calls.  

More than 85% of calls to the VAT registration helpline are from taxpayers who want an update on the progress of their applications. HMRC recommends using its 'where's my reply' tool to obtain an expected response date.

Given that the department takes up to 40 working days to deal with a VAT registration HMRC asks that taxpayers should not contact it within that 40-day period. A taxpayer who wishes to contact HMRC after that period or who is replying to a request for further information (VAT 5) should use HMRC’s dedicated email inbox vrs.newregistrations@hmrc.gov.uk. Taxpayers who have not received a response to their initial application within 40 working days will receive...