Income tax helpline - strange experience

serious_saver

I phoned up the HMRC income tax helpline because I'm due a tax rebate and I wanted to check what paperwork etc I needed to send.

We went through all the usual identification malarky and I was told by the person on the phone "I can't view your details, they are blocked on my system, I will have to refer you on and someone will call you back"

I asked if she knew why my details might be blocked but she said she had no idea. I'm expecting a call back but I was told that probably won't happen until Tuesday. I know it will weigh on my mind this weekend and somehow telling a bunch of random strangers makes me feel better :rotfl:

Does anyone know why someone's details might be blocked from view of HMRC staff and if this is something that happens often? Genuine reponses and wild speculation are both welcome. I love hearing conspiracy theories

kazwookie

Just ring them back today, maybe who ever you spoke to their system was heading for a breakdown.

Mikeyorks

serious_saver wrote: »

Does anyone know why someone's details might be blocked from view of HMRC staff

Yes.

Who do you work for?

serious_saver

Mikeyorks wrote: »

Yes.

Who do you work for?

I work for a private company but I used to be a civil servant. That was a while ago though.

serious_saver

kazwookie wrote: »

Just ring them back today, maybe who ever you spoke to their system was heading for a breakdown.

Thanks but I tried that and the same thing happened again

Mikeyorks

serious_saver wrote: »

I work for a media company but I used to be a civil servant.

The latter would perhaps explain the 'restricted' view as civil servants / armed forces etc are not generally viewable by helpline staff.

But - can't explain why the restriction appears still to be in place.

serious_saver

It did occur to me that I had been a government worker before but like you said, it just doesn't make sense that the restriction would still be in place

Ah well I guess I'll just have to wait until next week

Mikeyorks

Government Departments are a bit wider than most imagine - don't suppose you (still) fit to any of these ? :-

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/echmanual/ECH6160.htm

Work in media in a lighthouse? !!

dizzyblonde82

Sometimes when civil servants leave the restrictions are not lifted properly, I had a nightmare with tax credits and 'restricted access' for about 18 months after I left employment with HMRC.

The person on the helpline should have given you an alternative number to ring so that you can speak to a team who deal with restricted access and they can lift the restrictions.

Tarasam

dizzyblonde82 wrote: »

Sometimes when civil servants leave the restrictions are not lifted properly, I had a nightmare with tax credits and 'restricted access' for about 18 months after I left employment with HMRC.

The person on the helpline should have given you an alternative number to ring so that you can speak to a team who deal with restricted access and they can lift the restrictions.

This is not right, we now get a restricted tel num pop up on screen for the HMRC advisor to ring and then the people on the team that deal with these "access denied" records call back the taxpayer.
It will be to do with the fact you used to be a civil servant.

serious_saver

kellyshay wrote: »

This is not right, we now get a restricted tel num pop up on screen for the HMRC advisor to ring and then the people on the team that deal with these "access denied" records call back the taxpayer.
It will be to do with the fact you used to be a civil servant.

Thanks everyone it's been reassuring to read your posts

It really is something that HMRC should warn you about on their website. I've searched on the internet for info about it and there's not much to speak of.