HMRC helplines currently closed
HMRC is closing all helplines across its Debt Management's EIS teams until further notice, with effect from Monday 25 January 2021.
A large number of Debt Management staff have again been redeployed to HMRC's COVID helplines and the small amount of remaining staff have been spending a significant amount of time answering progress chasing calls, which was taking them away from actually working cases. HMRC is hopeful that without phones to answer, staff will have more time to clear work, get back on track and deliver the services that insolvency practitioners need.
HMRC is monitoring the situation and will keep ICAEW updated.
HMRC has asked that insolvency practitioners with particularly urgent cases, for example administrations that are about to close, contact their Recognised Professional Body who can then liaise with HMRC.