National Insurance

HMRC Self-Assessment Helpline Closure – What You Need to Know

HM Government, National Insurance, NICs, Tax /

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that it will be closing its main self-assessment helpline over the summer. This means that taxpayers will not be able to get help over the phone from HMRC staff between 5 July and 3 September 2023. HMRC says that it is closing the helpline in order to redeploy staff to other areas of the business. The organisation is also advising people to use its chatbot instead. However, the Taxpayers Alliance has said that people trying to “do the right thing” will be “furious” about the closure of the helpline. The organisation has called on HMRC to reverse its decision. If you are a self-employed worker who needs help with your self-assessment tax return, you will need to use HMRC’s chatbot or online guidance. You can also contact your accountant for help. What is the chatbot? The chatbot is a computer program that can answer your questions about self-assessment. You can access the chatbot on the HMRC website. What is the online guidance? The online guidance is a set of documents that explain how to complete your self-assessment tax return. You can find the online guidance on the HMRC website. What if I need help with my self-assessment tax return? If you need help with your self-assessment tax return, you can contact us. You can also contact HMRC’s customer service team by email or post. FREE Telephone Consultation If you would like to discuss your personal tax with a qualified tax adviser, you can book a FREE telephone consultation with us. During the consultation, we will discuss your specific tax situation and how we can help you. To book a consultation, simply call us at 020 3755 2863 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you! Conclusion The closure of the HMRC self-assessment helpline is a major inconvenience for taxpayers. If you need help with your self-assessment tax return, you should use the chatbot or online guidance, call us We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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HMRC Helpline Closure

Government Extends Deadline for Voluntary National Insurance Contributions

NICs, National Insurance, Tax /

The UK government has extended the deadline for voluntary national insurance contributions (NICs), giving taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their contributions and boost their state pensions. The previous deadline of 5 April 2023 had caused concerns among members of the public, leading to the extension until 31 July 2023. The extension is part of transitional arrangements to the new state pension, which allows taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to any incomplete years in their national insurance record between April 2006 and April 2016. After an increase in customer contact, the government has decided to extend the deadline to give people more time to make their contributions. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging taxpayers to take advantage of the extension and make the necessary contributions to avoid missing out on boosting their state pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022-2023 tax year rates. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, said, “We’ve listened to concerned members of the public and have acted. We recognize how important state pensions are for retired individuals, which is why we are giving people more time to fill any gaps in their national insurance record to help bolster their entitlement.” Boosting your state pension by making voluntary contributions to your national insurance record is an important decision that requires careful consideration. At MI Accountants and Tax Advisers, we have extensive experience in helping individuals navigate complex tax matters and make informed decisions about their finances. Our team is always ready to assist you with any tax-related issues and ensure you make the most of the extended deadline for voluntary national insurance contributions. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your state pension. Contact us today on 0203 755 2863 or email us at [email protected] to learn more about how we can help you.

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