HMRC telephone traces down as Brits face ‘technical situation’ forward of main deadline
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is currently dealing with a ‘technical issue’ with its phone lines and has apologised to customers as the self assessment tax deadline looms
HMRC has apologised(Image: PA)
HM Revenue and Customs is reportedly experiencing a “technical issue” preventing thousands of Britons from contacting the tax authority by telephone.
The department confirmed on X: “Our helplines are currently closed due to a technical issue, which we’re urgently working to resolve.” HMRC added: “We apologise to customers and advise them to try calling us later.” The statement concluded: ” Our digital services remain available.”
The disruption comes just weeks before the Self Assessment deadline on January 31, with taxpayers facing financial penalties for late submissions, reports Birmingham Live. Recent figures reveal more than five million individuals have yet to file their tax returns as the cut-off date looms.
Research conducted by SEO firm Four Pillars demonstrates that online searches for self assessment surge dramatically in the lead-up to January 31.
Financial guru Martin Lewis has urged people against procrastinating until the eleventh hour.
Speaking on his TikTok channel, he warned: “Do you need to do a tax return? If you do, it’s urgent.”
He continued: “The self assessment tax deadline is the end of this month, January 31.”
Lewis emphasised: “If that’s you, get your skates on. Because if you miss the deadline there’s a hundred quid fine.”
He highlighted the additional burden: “But more painfully, there’s also 7.75% interest on unpaid tax.”
The money expert stressed: “Anyone HMRC has told to do so. If you’ve been sent a self assessment tax form to do it, you have to do it.”
He concluded: “Even if you don’t think you have to, you have to do it now.”
Lewis warned: “The later you leave it, the more clogged up HMRC’s phone lines get if you need to speak to it.”
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