Key points
- HMRC service levels have declined. Its solution is to focus on taxpayers going online and self-serving.
- Not everything can be done digitally and not everyone can go digital.
- The tax profession faces rapid policy and legislative changes and new HMRC processes.
- The profession has problems recruiting/retaining staff.
The saying ‘may you live in interesting times’ may sound like a blessing but is actually believed to derive from a traditional Chinese curse. Life is often much easier and more pleasant when times are ‘uninteresting’. This rings particularly true for those working in the tax profession which currently faces a number of unique and varied challenges.
HMRC service levels
We probably don’t need to rehearse with Taxation readers the ongoing issues with HMRC service levels. This year alone we have seen restrictions to the Agent Dedicated Line the closure of the VAT registration helpline and a ‘seasonal’ closure...