15 minutes wating on IR phone and counting...

dori2o

Pennywise wrote: »

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.

Complete and utter C R A P!!!!!

chrismac1

I agree, it's more like 6 or 7 times before they do their job properly!

jem16

dori2o wrote: »

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

Why are 0845 numbers being used? Do they create extra revenue for the company being called?

More and more government services are switching to 0345 which would be fine as that is inclusive on all calling plans.

So why isn't HMRC using 0345?

Why are they blocking the use of alternative 01 numbers.

I'm sorry but I think it's wrong.

Nobody is forced to phone from a mobile

There are some who don't have a landline, only a mobile. Should they find a phonebox or something?

dtaylor84

jem16 wrote: »

There are some who don't have a landline, only a mobile. Should they find a phonebox or something?

Which are even more horrendously overpriced...

jem16

dtaylor84 wrote: »

Which are even more horrendously overpriced...

Not actually sure which is worse for 0845, a phonebox or a mobile. Neither should have to be used for 0845 though when there is no need for it.

AirlieBird

jem16 wrote: »

So why isn't HMRC using 0345?

The Minister responsible for HMRC said in a written answer to parliament in October 2011:
"...HMRC recognises that the cost of calling its 0845 numbers can be an issue for some customers—particularly those using pay-as-you-go mobile phones. It has therefore been actively reviewing its numbering strategy to see if it can find ways of reducing the costs involved while striking the right balance between costs to the caller and costs to the public purse.

I can confirm that as part of the process of agreeing its next telephony contract—which is due to take effect by June 2013—HMRC will continue to investigate alternatives to 0845 numbers."

Zorz_2

dori2o wrote: »

Nobody is forced to phone from a mobile

I live in a flat without landline. Unfortunately, Cpt. Blackadder shot my last carrier pigeon. What do you suggest me to do?

chrismac1

Buy a new pigeon and train it to home in on your local tax office. This may not solve your tax issue, but at least the thought of all that poo dropping on HMRC from a height will boost your morale.

chrismac1

On a more serious note, how hard can it be to allow e-mails? I recently dealt with the Revenue Service of Ireland on a matter involving imports from the USA and potentailly £250k of VAT if things were done wrongly. They accepted an e-mail and replied with their opinion by e-mail, all within 4 hours. That sort of thing is so totally unthinkable in the UK that it's just depressing even thinking about it.

dori2o

chrismac1 wrote: »

On a more serious note, how hard can it be to allow e-mails? I recently dealt with the Revenue Service of Ireland on a matter involving imports from the USA and potentailly £250k of VAT if things were done wrongly. They accepted an e-mail and replied with their opinion by e-mail, all within 4 hours. That sort of thing is so totally unthinkable in the UK that it's just depressing even thinking about it.

For a general enquiry that is fine and it is coming. However, would you honestly want peoples records being updated, tax codes changed etc etc by email? ID fraud is currently at it's highest recorded rate, How would the emails be verified as genuine.

It's not secure enough to do so, thats why it isn't done.

How many banks do you know will deal with specific account queries (transfers/payments/direct debits) by Email?