CIOT - Low Incomes Tax Reform Group: Campaigners concerned over tax helpline cuts

CIOT – Low Incomes Tax Reform Group: Campaigners concerned over tax helpline cuts

CIOT – Low Incomes Tax Reform Group: Campaigners concerned over tax helpline cuts

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) have warned that proposals to cut the hours that the Government’s tax helplines operate will make life harder for taxpayers, especially those on low incomes.

The proposals include closing all HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Contact Centres (which field tax support calls) on Sundays and reducing hours on Saturdays, bank holidays and (for some services) during the week.

LITRG Chairman John Andrews said:

“This is a backward step for an organisation that is supposed to be customer focused.

“We all understand that there is pressure across government to reduce costs. But HMRC have failed to fully assess the impact of these changes.

“HMRC’s long-term strategy is to grow their online services. But for this to work taxpayers need access to support and to be able to ask questions of HMRC. This is particularly the case for taxpayers on low incomes who cannot afford to pay for professional tax help. Some of these people will work long hours during the week and may only be able to sort out financial matters during unsociable hours or the weekend. Taking away access to HMRC helplines at these times will make the task considerably harder.”

In their response to the Government’s consultation, LITRG are encouraging HMRC to consider the alternative strategy of promoting Sunday opening and the ease of access of online services, to spread the load of calls more evenly. LITRG are calling on HMRC to produce a proper impact assessment on what the changes will mean for those on the lowest incomes.

In June LITRG expressed concern about closures and cuts in hours at HMRC Enquiry Centres – offices around the country where people can get tax advice in person. LITRG said that the numbers of visitors to enquiry centres had declined in recent years not because of a drop in demand for face to face advice, but because restructuring of the enquiry centres has made such advice much harder to come by.

John Andrews added:

“Collectively, these cuts to access to HMRC advice on tax matters will lead to further increases in demand for help from the voluntary sector. HMRC need to carry out an urgent review to ensure that the voluntary sector is funded to meet the demand unfulfilled by themselves.”

Notes to editors

1. To read LITRG’s full response to the consultation, go to:
www.litrg.org.uk

2. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) to give a voice to the unrepresented. Since 1998 LITRG has been working to improve the policy and processes of the tax, tax credits and associated welfare systems for the benefit of those on low incomes.

3. The CIOT is a charity and the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT’s primary purpose is to promote education and study of the administration and practice of taxation. One of the key aims is to achieve a better, more efficient, tax system for all affected by it – taxpayers, advisers and the authorities.

George Crozier
External Relations Manager

D: +44 (0)20 7340 0569
M: +44 (0)7740 477374

The Chartered Institute of Taxation
www.tax.org.uk
Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
www.litrg.org.uk
The Association of Taxation Technicians
www.att.org.uk

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