Infuriating HMRC

50Twuncle

I have a problem with the Tax Office - I applied for Self Assessment about four months ago and eventually (2 months ago) - received my LOGIN details - then I lost the letter (before using the login) - a simple task to request a copy of the letter you would have thought - but no - HMRC will not send me a copy (security reasons !! - although the first one was sent without any issues) - so I have asked if it would be acceptible to reapply for the login details - "SORRY NO" being the answer - your UTR is on previous letters from us re SA
This is the most infuriationg part - I do not have any previous letters I am new to SA !!
I also have speech problems - so am unable to phone HMRC - I filled in and sent a form 64-8 before Christmas giving authority to my financial advisor to speak to them - they have no record of this and refuse point blank to speak with him

Any ideas as to how to get round this situation ?
Is HMRC's email system actually received by a human being or is it totally automated ?
Because I appear to be getting a repeated standard reply - no matter what I say........

PoorCharleyBear

the system is not designed for mortals. It took me several goes to be readvised as I had not used SA for several years whilst abroad.

Try again- you might find someone else to help, or try applying for lost details via their website.

Gettingtherequickly

I would write again, I know that is putting the onus on you but if there is still no joy, I would escalate to the complaints section, once there, the problem has to be addressed.

Having made a genuine error in payment to them, it months to resolve, made worse by the fact that they are at least 6-8 weeks behind in opening mail (this is what they told me). In my case, I had inadvertantly paid monies due into the wrong account, they could see it and told me that they would transfer the money to the correct account. In the end, I threatened to go to the office and stand over someone while the transfer was done, as their office is only about a 10 min walk from mine and they could see that, it was dealt with immediately! Surprising that!

What is probably not advertised very well by HMRC is that despite the fact they are making people redundant, staff are expected to deal with a certain number of calls per hour, this is fine if they are all straightforward, but once any complexity enters the equation, well that plan is going to go out the window. They are merely call centre staff now in reality.

50Twuncle

It appears that once registered for self assessment - if for some reason (as in my case) - I need to reapply - I need to provide the UTR that I originally was given when I originally registered
The problem is that I lost the original forms before actually getting online...
The helpdesk is useless too - keeping on telling me to "use the UTR"

Crisp_£_note

Could you not ask someone you are happy to share information with to phone them for you whilst you are there? You can at least then confirm you are happy to have them speak on your behalf and you are present and give this consent due to your speach problem.

Just a thought I had as I was reading your issue.

Thanks and hope you get it sorted soon.

50Twuncle

Yes - I could ask someone else to speak for me - but I shouldn't have to - surely in the 21st Century with all the available technology - it must be a simple way for me to communicate with a government department and more importantly - for them to understand what I am after ?

Crisp_£_note

21Twinkle wrote: »

Yes - I could ask someone else to speak for me - but I shouldn't have to - surely in the 21st Century with all the available technology - it must be a simple way for me to communicate with a government department and more importantly - for them to understand what I am after ?

I realise you shouldnt have to but if it helps you acheive the results faster than having to write a letter and await a response it's something that will have to be considered. Thats all I meant sorry

50Twuncle

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

I realise you shouldnt have to but if it helps you acheive the results faster than having to write a letter and await a response it's something that will have to be considered. Thats all I meant sorry

As a matter of principle - I am not going to do this
My financial advisor has raised an Official Complaint with them - since they refuse to speak with him and we had previously sent them an AGENT AUTHORITY form....

arcon5

Screw principle... just do as suggested, get the information you want and make an official complaint. Your making more problems for yourself.

Saying that, HMRC are beyond useless... I unregistered as self-employed November 2011 and since then been trying to get them to issue me with official confirmation of registration and unregistration dates but they keep getting it wrong - my employer has now told me my employment will be reviewed this week and without this proof I face dismissal!! 6 phone calls, 4 different numbers and everybody is useless!!! Thanks HMRC, as useless as ever!


Your cutting off your nose to spite your face (or however the saying goes)

50Twuncle

arcon5 wrote: »

Screw principle... just do as suggested, get the information you want and make an official complaint. Your making more problems for yourself.

Saying that, HMRC are beyond useless... I unregistered as self-employed November 2011 and since then been trying to get them to issue me with official confirmation of registration and unregistration dates but they keep getting it wrong - my employer has now told me my employment will be reviewed this week and without this proof I face dismissal!! 6 phone calls, 4 different numbers and everybody is useless!!! Thanks HMRC, as useless as ever!


Your cutting off your nose to spite your face (or however the saying goes)

OK I made an official complaint - as did my financial advisor
The result being a "home visit" by a local official from the tax office - THIS MORNING !!
I will update this later this morning - after this unheard of event.....