How to speak to HMRC nowadays?

pecunianonolet

Hi there,

Been trying now for a week to speak to somebody at HMRC. Probably wasted an hour already listening to automated messages, providing national insurance number, address and date of birth. Repeatedly I am getting kicked out, either it's technical difficulties or they claim they are too busy or that they currently can't deal with this issue. Out of like 10 call attempts I not made it a single time as far as even being able to listen to music knowing I may be somewhere in a queue. 

I am trying to tell them about private pension contributions to claim additional relief and to clarify a few other bits about my tax code. Nothing I can do online. 

Been calling the 0300 200 3300 line. Is there any other opportunity to get in touch? 

MetaPhysical

it's infuriating isn't it?  A massively complex system where sometimes you do indeed need to talk to someone at HMRC and it most definitely is NOT the case that "do you know that you can do most things online?" that they keep repeating to you 200 times over the god-awful wait music.

What I have found is the best time to ring them is 08:00 in the morning when they open.  Pretty much forget any other time.

pecunianonolet

MetaPhysical said:

it's infuriating isn't it?  A massively complex system where sometimes you do indeed need to talk to someone at HMRC and it most definitely is NOT the case that "do you know that you can do most things online?" that they keep repeating to you 200 times over the god-awful wait music.

What I have found is the best time to ring them is 08:00 in the morning when they open.  Pretty much forget any other time.

Infuriating is an understatement! They are quick sending out letters with an adjusted tax code claiming I underpaid tax when in fact they owe me tax but I am unable to tell them that because I never get through. Tried early morning as well without luck.

Albermarle

I had to contact them last week.
Phoned just before 08.00, in the hope that by the time I got past all the questions, the lines would be open but it did not work.
Next day phoned at 08.02 and got through after 25 mins.
One of the messages said that the average wait time is 30 mins, but I am guessing that does take into account the times you never even get in the queue.

kempiejon

pecunianonolet said:

Infuriating is an understatement! They are quick sending out letters with an adjusted tax code claiming I underpaid tax when in fact they owe me tax but I am unable to tell them that because I never get through. Tried early morning as well without luck.

Well if they write to you, why not write back. I spent an hour, finally got through to someone, went though the details and then the operator said they'd have to check something and would phone me back. When they did get back 20 minutes later it was to tell me to write to them and they helpfully gave me the address.
3 weeks ago and I've not heard back yet mind.

pecunianonolet

Albermarle said:

I had to contact them last week.
Phoned just before 08.00, in the hope that by the time I got past all the questions, the lines would be open but it did not work.
Next day phoned at 08.02 and got through after 25 mins.
One of the messages said that the average wait time is 30 mins, but I am guessing that does take into account the times you never even get in the queue.

I am usually in video conferences early morning due to time difference so being able to call early morning isn't ideal for working people. 

If they would have at least a messaging service so you could type your message in and they get back to you as and when, like many banking apps and send you a notification in the app. Still not ideal but it would be a start.

pecunianonolet

kempiejon said:

pecunianonolet said:

Infuriating is an understatement! They are quick sending out letters with an adjusted tax code claiming I underpaid tax when in fact they owe me tax but I am unable to tell them that because I never get through. Tried early morning as well without luck.

Well if they write to you, why not write back. I spent an hour, finally got through to someone, went though the details and then the operator said they'd have to check something and would phone me back. When they did get back 20 minutes later it was to tell me to write to them and they helpfully gave me the address.
3 weeks ago and I've not heard back yet mind.

I don't mind to write and use snailmail. What's their Freepost address please?

kempiejon

@pecunianonolet Your tax office might be different to mine, there is a general address

Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1AS

kempiejon

@pecunianonolet another thought, do you X née twitter? Not really my bag but I have used it for EE, trains and other faceless corporate entities.

pecunianonolet

kempiejon said:

@pecunianonolet another thought, do you X née twitter? Not really my bag but I have used it for EE, trains and other faceless corporate entities.

I don't do social? media anymore. I will keep trying by phone, maybe Friday is better when everyone is watching the EUROS opening game, especially here up north. 

nigelbb

A less infuriating option is to use the online chat function. Less time waiting but still the same useless answers.