HMRC Invitation to be involved in research

davidwatts

Anyone else had a letter re this research or done anything similar for HMRC? Apparently they want "to understand people's views on and experience of saving generally and of how tax is applied to their own savings" and I've been selected at random "from HMRC records of people who receive interest on their savings".

It's referenced on this link as point 1.3:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails

Current inclination is to see if I get a call and what sort of questions they ask. Would anyone suggest steering well clear of the whole thing?

Reaper

I haven't been contacted but don't see any problem doing the survey if you are willing

Alexland

After confirming it is genuine the next question is how much they are paying for your time? If the views are important enough that HMRC are paying a research company then I don't see why you should work for free.

bowlhead99

If you have the time to spend, I don't think there's any issue in saying you're willing to be asked.

Some conspiracy theorists probably worry that it's all a bit Orwell 1984 and they don't want to give the tax office an insight into their income or life or tax reporting interactions, because it might be just a backdoor tax audit under the secret appearance of 'helping us with our research'. I don't think that's likely to be the case really, and even if it were, if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear

Still, it's wise to be careful what you sign up for. Garth Algar summed it up usefully in the documentary "Wayne's World", some 27 years ago:

Did you ever see that 'Twilight Zone' where the guy signed a contract and they cut out his tongue and put it in a jar and it wouldn't die, it just grew and pulsated and gave birth to baby tongues?

davidwatts

Thanks for the replies. I have the option of opting out now if I wish to do so, declining to take part if and when they contact me or agreeing to take part at that time.

My inclination is to go with the latter option and see what they have to say. (The initial call is to arrange an appointment for a 15-20 minute conversation.) As long as there's no devil in the detail I'll probably do it, out of curiosity to see what sort of questions they ask.

Fair point re the payment, it would be nice if they at least offered token recompense, though I suppose it would only be coming out of our taxes!

Alexland

If they do offer payment remember to ask for cash to save declaring the tax....

dales1

Personally I would agree to take part, but I would strongly prefer an email questionnaire rather then a conversation.
In this way my views would be "considered" rather than off the cuff, and available 'on the record' rather than interpreted by the interviewer.
For the researchers, direct documentary evidence would surely be preferable to call-centre conversation impressions.


Dales.

Reaper

dales1 wrote: »

Personally I would agree to take part, but I would strongly prefer an email questionnaire rather then a conversation.

If they are going for the extra expense of having a researcher ask the questions there will be a reason. I suspect the follow up questions will depend on your answers to earlier questions. If you had to understand and work through a complicated email flowchart it might put people off.

castle96

I had a letter inviting me to an online survey. Quite extensive - took 45 mins. Given a £10 voucher.. M&S/Argos, etc

Murphy_The_Cat

No, No & thrice No.