15 minutes wating on IR phone and counting...

downshifted

and it's an 0845 number....

jem16

downshifted wrote: »

and it's an 0845 number....

Then phone after 7pm or early Saturday morning when you might have 0845 as part of your call package.

Or try saynoto0870 for an alternative number.

downshifted

they answered after 20 mins - and did resolve my query

zygurat789

downshifted wrote: »

they answered after 20 mins - and did resolve my query

The charge starts as soon as the ringing tone finishes and these calls are more expensive than normal codes.
It's iniquitous how HMRC waste our post tax money

dori2o

zygurat789 wrote: »

The charge starts as soon as the ringing tone finishes and these calls are more expensive than normal codes.
It's iniquitous how HMRC waste our post tax money

Not necessarily. It all depends on your call plan.

Also just for advice, the number on the 'NO to 0870' website is the telephone number for the International Helpline, for those calling from abroad who cannot use the 0845 number.

This number has now been blocked to anyone calling from a UK landline.

HMRC can also terminate your call after providing you with the correct number should you get through by alternative means whilst calling from within the UK.

CLAPTON

write to your MP and complain; sadly too few people bother

dori2o

CLAPTON wrote: »

write to your MP and complain; sadly too few people bother

I fail to see how that will help.

The problem is there are too few advisors on the phone to deal with the volume of calls, and with 710,000 civil servants due to lose their jobs over the next 3-4 years, the problem is only going to get worse as fewer and fewer advisors are available.

It will become even worse once the Govt get their wish and privatise HMRC contact centres.

jem16

dori2o wrote: »

Also just for advice, the number on the 'NO to 0870' website is the telephone number for the International Helpline, for those calling from abroad who cannot use the 0845 number.

Anyone phoning from a mobile will find an 0845 number very expensive. Why does HMRC persist in using 0845 numbers as opposed to geographical numbers which are included in most calling plans including mobiles?

chrismac1

"It will become even worse once the Govt get their wish and privatise HMRC contact centres."

It's well worth the risk. if the current service was even halfway decent then outsourcing would be a risk. Given that the current service is pants the risk is minimal, so go for it!

dori2o

jem16 wrote: »

Anyone phoning from a mobile will find an 0845 number very expensive. Why does HMRC persist in using 0845 numbers as opposed to geographical numbers which are included in most calling plans including mobiles?

The vast majority of all government services use 0845/0345 numbers.

Nobody is forced to phone from a mobile

Pennywise

dori2o wrote: »

The problem is there are too few advisors on the phone to deal with the volume of calls, and with 710,000 civil servants due to lose their jobs over the next 3-4 years, the problem is only going to get worse as fewer and fewer advisors are available.

No, the problem is that HMRC make far too many mistakes, necessitating people to phone in, possibly several times, before the mistake is rectified. If HMRC improved their service, didn't make silly mistakes, or then actually corrected the problem when they were first contacted, then the volume of calls would plummet.

Sadly it's common to have to write or phone 2,3, or 4 times before HMRC do the job properly. Simple things like phoning up to correct a wrong tax code - hardly ever done right at first attempt - more often that not, no action taken at all, and even if a new code is issued, it's probably not what's been asked for so needs asking for again. It's quite ridiculous.