HMRC not answering phones, 3rd day and cannot get through to speak on their help line

Have been trying to get through for days now, just get the same message for 45 minutes. Calling from abroad and it is costing a fortune, never get through, when I do it is asking for a uk postcode otherwise you get stuck with her continously asking for a new postcode. I am calling from abroad on the line for international phone calls trying to sort out Ni contributions. I just have a simple question I want answered as to whether my form has been approved for NI class 2 contributions because it hasn't been updated since December 11th.

I am trying to get through this morning, waiting for 47 minutes. I was advised online chat team to call as they were unable to help. No means get issue sorted if phone helpline is not working or not staffed. Can some please advice on way forward?

Hi Lalit shah,

Our helplines are busy at the moment, however you will need to keep trying to get through.

Thank you.

Hi, Your lines have been unreachable for days. I was told best time to call was 8 and yet I have been on the call for an hour waiting to speak to an agent from 8am. I am having issues verifying my identity to get access my NIN online. I have an international passport but it is not letting me verify with it. is there a direct line or email??

I want to pay for a year I missed in NI contributions as I retire in June this year. I have been trying for the past week to get through on the phone but after waiting over an hour I just get cut off. This is silly, and there can’t be any excuse for this level of service. Please could you provide the contact details so I can raise an official complaint

I have currently been on hold for an hour. To discuss a mistake made by the tax office. My last self-assessment legally required was 2022. My accountant told you twice. I have informed you once - why did I receive a penalty for not filing one! HMRC make mistake after mistake and then can’t be contacted to rectify - it’s an absolute joke.

I've called every day this week and had to hold for over an hour each time. By that time I've run out of time - I'm literally trying to talk about my business but do HMRC think businesses have got multiple hours a day to sit around and do nothing on the phone? Today I've been on hold waiting for 90 minutes already. WHAT A JOKE.

I have been trying to contact HMRC from past week or so. I am an expat and have recently arrived in UK for a deputation. I have not received my UTR letter on my address which is needed to complete my Self Assessment. Also, my tax code is still an emergency one and there is no way i can contact HMRC since their call disconnects after every 30 mins of waiting time. Don't know what to do.

I have been trying to get through for MONTHS. You either have to spend 5 minutes on the line to answer all the questions only to be told that the call can't be taken at this time. Or you wait for ages with no response. I live abroad so this is costing me a fortune. I need to know why the direct debits that were set up in 2021 and 2022, with written confirmation from HMRC, have not been activated, even though letters from HMRC say they have been. Also what the implications are of this on my pension. It feels like I will never know. HMRC there has to be a better way.

Hi Glennm Millward,

You can find the contact details to make a complaint about HMRC here.

Make a complaint about HMRC

Thank you.

Hi Akhil Bansal,

We have a direct contact number for the Expatriate employees helpline 0300 322 9424.

Thank you.

I wrote to HMRC at end of Jan to request support with a payment plan. Have since been trying to call intermittently for 2 weeks with no luck. In the meantime I've been hit with a late payment charge. Still unable to get through to HMRC on the phone. Due to the amount owed I can't set up a payment plan online. WHAT DO I DO PLEASE???!

I am an international student working partime job but I never go over 20 hours. However I am paying tax and my employer states I am being put under emergency tax and the money will be returned but it has been already 6 weeks but the money i am paying for tax gets more each each. I am losing money over my own job and I heard students working will be exempt from tax. I been trying to call HMRC for a week everyday and it cuts me off after waiting for so long. I can't sign up for any self assessment as I dont have any ID that HMRC requests as I am not a citizen here. Please help :(

Hi Jag Nagra
If you have been unable to setup a payment plan online you will need to continue trying to get through to our helpline.
Thankyou.

I have been trying to get through with regards to discrepancies in tax forms received from HMRC and what they say online regarding my tax details. When dialling the 0300200330 number I am asked questions, given lots of irrelevant information and then they hang up! So frustrating. Can't get an appointment to see anyone face to face, so how are you actually meant to sort out these discrepancies?

Hi YUK LING LOO,

The tax year comes to an end on 5 April 2023.

It is most likely now, that we will be unable to issue the correct tax code to your employer, that they can operate.

From 6 April 2023, we start a new tax year and your employer will use a new tax code.

After that date, your employer will give you a P60.

You can use this to claim a repayment of tax for 2022/23 tax year.

Contact details here: 

Income Tax: general enquiries

You can also check to see if you need to complete a s Self Assessment tax return be answering the questions here:

Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return

If you do, claim a repayment by submitting the completed tax return.

Thank you. 

 

The service is utterly ludicrous and unacceptable. I have been trying to simultaneously work and call HMRC to reclaim money that I am owed. Like others here, I have been on hold for approximately 4 hours over the past 3 days. Today I got through twice. Within 10 minutes of talking to an operator, the call is disconnected. What's most infuriating is how quickly HMRC request money or apply interest to delayed payments. However, now that I'm trying to get MY money back, if feels as though they are incredibly reluctant to help.

Hi,

We are sorry if you are having issues getting through. All our contact mehods are listed here:

Income Tax: general enquiries

Thank you.

Has anyone found how to reach HMRC? I keep getting caught in the automated service, then when I finally achieve a breakthrough and she agrees to transfer me to an agent, it cuts off with "thanks for your call - goodbye". I am in tears, I'm losing so much time into this.

Hi, I’ve been trying to contact you for several weeks, on hold every morning from 8-9am and every lunch 1-2pm and evenings. I’ve also written to let you know that I’m no longer self employed and haven’t been for over 2 years. I’ve had a fine which I’m trying to appeal. I’ve tried online and failed. Please can someone respond and help. Thank you