“Hey Alexa, open HMRC”

Will Alexa become the virtual ‘man down the pub'?

Didn't find your answer?

“Hey Alexa, submit my tax return!”

Okay, we’re a long way off from that ever happening, but HMRC is actually using Amazon’s oh-so-helpful virtual butler to help “tech-savvy taxpayers to renew their tax credits.

Alexa-users can beckon the overtasked robot to “open HMRC”. It should be noted that Alexa isn’t actually renewing the tax credits, but is opening the HMRC’s app where the user can then renew their tax credits, check tax credit payment schedule and find out how much they have earned for the year.

According to The Telegraph (behind a paywall), an HMRC spokesperson said the tax office is “exploring the possibility of developing software that would allow applications to be made solely through the device”.

What do you think? A good way to help more people engage with HMRC? Do you think we will eventually hear “Alexa, submit my tax return”? Or with taxpayers being able to use Alexa for guidance when completing their application, will the plucky device become the virtual ‘man down the pub?’

Comment below or tell Alexa...

Replies (15)

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By bernard michael
12th Jul 2018 15:22

You've just shown me a vision of Hell

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Portia profile image
By Portia Nina Levin
12th Jul 2018 15:28

As I understand it, HMRC are long-standing users of *artificial* intelligence.

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Replying to Portia Nina Levin:
By SteveHa
12th Jul 2018 16:17

It's not often you see "HMRC" and "Intelligence" in the same sentence.

Thanks (4)
Replying to Portia Nina Levin:
RLI
By lionofludesch
13th Jul 2018 11:38

Artificial summat.

Not sure it's intelligence.

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
12th Jul 2018 15:38

it would be nice if they concentrated on finishing off their current half finished projects before starting some more puffy stuff.

Today incident, tech savvy client cant open a personal tax account as he doesnt have a UK passport....... I mean people coming over here, earning 6 figure incomes and trying to pay some tax......

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By bernard michael
12th Jul 2018 15:39

That accounts for some of the rationale they use.
Query
Who teaches the machines what answers they should give??

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Tornado
By Tornado
12th Jul 2018 16:26

ALEXA ..... Do you think HMRC are a bunch of idiots?

"I don't know"

ALEXA ...... This time using your artificial intelligence, do you think HMRC are a bunch of idiots?

"Yes"

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By Ruddles
12th Jul 2018 16:25

"Alexa, what is the VAT treatment of XYZ?"

I guarantee that the answer is likely to be more correct than the one given by HMRC.

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Tornado
By Tornado
13th Jul 2018 09:18

ALEXA .... Are you more important than HMRC?

"Yes, of course"

ALEXA ..... Is your advice more accurate than that of HMRC?

"Yes, of course"

Thanks (1)
Replying to Tornado:
Tornado
By Tornado
13th Jul 2018 17:03

Tornado wrote:

ALEXA .... Are you more important than HMRC?

"Yes, of course"

ALEXA ..... Is your advice more accurate than that of HMRC?

"Yes, of course"

As ALEXA starts to gain a personality we can probably expect -

ALEXA ...... What is the Tax Free Personal Allowance for 2018/19.

"Don't ask me you moron, you are the Accountant, you should know the answer to this already".

On reflection, this sounds a bit like one of the Contributors to AWEB. Is it just possible that AI is already amongst us?

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By Charlie Carne
13th Jul 2018 10:14

"Alexa, play Taxman by the Beatles"
....well, at least I can trust her to do that.

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By Dib
13th Jul 2018 17:28

Will relying on Alexa constitute a reasonable excuse? :-)

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
14th Jul 2018 01:00

Who else has found themselves swearing at Alexa , "Alexa shut the **** up" having been used a couple of times, and then having to say sorry?

In my case as Alexa is my wife's so I then also need to apologise to her for swearing at her helpful friend.

I am really looking forward to an upgrade version with GPP which will then go into sulk mode and have to be cajoled into future cooperation.

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Replying to DJKL:
Tornado
By Tornado
14th Jul 2018 21:59

ALEXA ... Self-Destruct

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