HMRC points replace and says ‘sorry’ with 5.65million dealing with £100 fines | Personal Finance | Finance | EUROtoday

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an apology following a short lived shutdown of its helplines on Thursday, simply weeks earlier than the essential self-assessment deadline on the finish of January.

The phone providers have been suspended at 11.40am owing to a short technical glitch, the tax authority confirmed, although all strains have been restored by 2.15pm. HMRC urged taxpayers to utilise its on-line platforms wherever possible.

An HMRC spokesperson mentioned: “We’ve now reopened our helplines – including for self-assessment. We thank people for their patience and are sorry for the inconvenience.”

The disruption occurred because the self-assessment deadline of January 31 attracts close to. Those failing to satisfy the deadline threat an instantaneous late submitting cost of £100, with the potential for further penalties thereafter.

Data revealed by HMRC on January 5 revealed that over 6.36 million taxpayers had already lodged their tax returns by that time, while practically 5.65 million remained excellent forward of the deadline.

Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, mentioned: “With the self-assessment tax deadline rapidly approaching, it’s hugely concerning to see that HMRC’s phone lines have gone down. This will be hugely frustrating to those needing help with their tax returns, and particularly disruptive to those unable to use digital services.”

Taxpayers who can’t submit their self-assessment returns on time have been beforehand suggested to inform HMRC earlier than January 31. HMRC has acknowledged it is going to deal with instances with reputable causes sympathetically.