Will the telephone now be answered

Will the telephone now be answered

Didn't find your answer?

We are told that more monies are being given to HMRC and more Inspectors employed. Does this mean we will not have to wait the normal 20 minutes for the telephone to be answered - If we are at all lucky. Somehow I doubt it. My firms' complaints to the Chancellor and the Treasurer have remained unanswered on this issue.

Replies (7)

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By vince8
06th Dec 2012 09:00

What number do you call?

The agents help line is never that busy, yesterday for example I got straight through. These new "Inspectors" are mostly promotees, where else would they come from? But they don't answer phones.

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By Steve Holloway
06th Dec 2012 11:39

Agreed ....

never had to wait more than 30 seconds for the agent line and 95% of the time they are able to do what I want in a generally efficient manner.

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Replying to Ruddles:
Quack
By Constantly Confused
06th Dec 2012 11:44

Sadly

Steve Holloway wrote:

never had to wait more than 30 seconds for the agent line and 95% of the time they are able to do what I want in a generally efficient manner.

Sadly only true for the SA line, do we even have an agent line for other taxes?  Calling up about VAT is unbearable, not least because you have to sit through huge messages saying 'If you are calling about #insert list of things# you will find the answer on our website' followed by 'I know we already said this, but If you are calling about #insert list of things# you will find the answer on our website'.

 

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Replying to Ruddles:
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By barrowbakers
07th Dec 2012 11:16

agreed

I note Steve only waits 30 seconds for the Agent "Hot Line". We probably wait a little longer but unless the question is simple - in which case you probably shouldn't need to telephone you are shunted off to a "Technical Person" who will call back withinn 3 days!

I agree with the comment that VAT and CT is a complete fiasco when it comes to the query section - ever had the case where you hold for nearly 30 minutes and get the message "we are stll very busy" and the call cuts off! - ###### exasperating to say the least!

 

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By Steve Holloway
06th Dec 2012 11:50

Fair point!

I don't act as agent for VAT or PAYE so have no experience of these.

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By Democratus
06th Dec 2012 13:02

Not an Agent

I am employed in Industry and am amazed that my AWEB colleagues who are SA Agents don't suffer from the apalling telephone response rates from the majority of HMRC lines.

Even if you have the patience of a saint (I don't) and manage not to smash your telephone handset in frustration and you succeed in getting an answer you then suffer the ignominity of being told that HMRC have a website (Doh!). If i could find the answer there or it would confirm a viewpoint I'd not be phoning......ggggggrrrrrrrr!!!! 

Whilst i don't think th OP was serious in framing the question there is a serious point to be made about this issue.

A happy and relaxed accountant who get's through promptly will in all liklihood result in a more pleasant and productive conversation with the HMRC drone (and this isn't meant as an insult, some are really helpful) on the other end.

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By Democratus
07th Dec 2012 12:49

@ Barrowbakers - Oh yeah

yep had that too. It's hard not to take it out on whoever answers the phone, if it is answered. 

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