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There will be no immediate changes to HMRC’s website in spite of the launch of a new online hub for government services, the department has said.
Gov.uk was unveiled earlier this month as a replacement for the Business Link and Directgov offerings. It is intended to be the “definitive site for interacting with central government”, according to the latest edition of Agent Update, the Revenue’s bi-monthly newsletter of items of interest to tax advisers.
Issue 32 confirms that HMRC.gov.uk “continues to be the primary source of online support for tax agents”. The Revenue adds there will also be no immediate changes to digital services such as self assessment and PAYE.
The new Agent Update includes recent developments on real-time information for PAYE, the latest briefs, current consultations and responses, and a list of publications and guidance from the taxman.
It also states the Revenue has have been working with farming bodies, including the National Farmers Union, to produce an e-learning tutorial called Starting Your Own Business.
Finally, HMRC will include news and issues from the Working Together network in Agent Update, instead of producing a separate alert.
Current Working Together matters include:
- Car fuel benefit: HMRC’s company car and car fuel calculator has been updated.
- CT41g: in light of concerns about the new process for registering new companies, the Revenue plans to publish updated guidance on how to use online tax registration service.
- Agent-dedicated line: the agent-dedicated line is a service for authorised agents only. HMRC say they have seen an increase in use of the number by those who are not formally authorised. An automated message that redirects calls to the correct helpline has slightly increased the waiting time, although it is still under one minute.
- Student loan final year repayment: the issue was raised to the Collection of Student Loan Consultative Group, which met in September. The minutes will be published soon.
- HMRC contact information: as part of the joint initiative on service delivery, the Revenue has been working with the ICAEW, which has published a list of department telephone numbers, email facilities, postal addresses and useful website links, together with a number of useful tips. This complements the taxman’s dedicated helplines guide.
