Set up a taskforce to tackle HMRC’s work backlog, says ICAEW

The government should create a cross-sector taskforce to address the long-standing delays at HMRC says ICAEW in its representations to the Treasury ahead of the Spring Budget taking place on 15 March 2023.

The emergency taskforce would be charged with identifying areas for support to end delays and recommending to HMRC improvements to service standards to enable business growth.

Taxpayers and accountants are having to wait up to a year for HMRC to respond to queries over the phone or by post while callers report that they have waited for more than an hour before being cut off. These delays were the biggest area of complaint made by ICAEW members in 2022 the institute added whether relating to financial or other resource constraints.

Michael Izza ICAEW chief executive said: ‘The delays at HMRC are unacceptable need to be addressed promptly and are...