Why you shouldn’t be afraid to contact HMRC
There are a few things in life that seem to bring an overwhelming sense of dread and doom into the majority of our lives. Tax and HMRC definitely fall into that category for many of us. But if you’re organised, and keep on top of your incomings and outgoings, then dealing with your tax return and contacting HMRC shouldn’t be something to worry about.
I’ll be the first to agree, paying tax isn’t fun! But, it’s something that we all have to accept and take responsibility for. If you’re employed, then the chances are that your dealings with HMRC will be few and far between. However there are still plenty of occasions when you may need to contact them – a tax rebate, updating your details, adding allowances such as marriage allowance, and much more. If you’re self-employed, then you’ll be filing your tax return annually and there are plenty of reasons why you might need to contact HMRC.
Taking the stress out of contacting HMRC
Firstly, organisation is key! I’ve learnt my lesson the hard way when it comes to panicking over completing my tax returns over the last few years. Last year, I lost my Government Gateway log in details and had to wait AGES for a new one to arrive in the post, because obviously I’d also forgotten my passwords for the online retrieval systems HMRC have in place. This year, I’ve made sure all my log in details are kept securely.
Don’t leave everything until the last minute. Again, something I’m inevitably guilty of year after year! Although I did file my return with a week to spare this time round – #winning!
Make use of the tools and calculators available on the HMRC website. They are there to help you and they really can help to ease the stress of dealing with anything tax-related. I’ve used the tax credits calculator a number of times when our income has changed and it’s usually been pretty accurate.
Don’t be afraid to Talk Tax!
Contact Numbers UK have launched a fantastic campaign aimed at encouraging people to TALK ABOUT TAX! Through their #LetsTalkTax campaign, they want to encourage you to pick up the phone and contact HMRC when you need to. I have to say I think this is a fantastic campaign. I think we need to banish the thought that HMRC are something to be scared of. I’ve had to contact them a number of times throughout my adult life, and not once have I needed to be concerned.
As we approach the end of yet another financial year, it’s a great time to get on top of your taxes. Don’t be afraid to contact HMRC to discuss any tax return implications or rebates you feel you may be owed.
In collaboration with Contact Numbers UK.
A very important campaign, you are totally right. It’s very important to stay on top of things.
Ahhhhh we have had so many conversations with them since moving abroad about various things, and it costs us a fortune to ring and wait and it doesn’t seem to get resolved either, we justgo round in circles!!
Such an important message. I’ll be honest, I am rubbish at Tax Talk and I avoid calling HMRC when I can! xx
Great post here, love the message. Many of us are too afraid to get tax matters sorted.
They have always been super helpful if I’ve been stuck with anything.
I lost my gateway details last year too and it took ages for them to be resent. I have had so few dealings with HMRC but I do dread calling them, I am not even sure why x
They also run some amazing courses to help you do your returns correctly
Ohh, this is such a nice initiative. I totally agree on you, we should not be afraid to talk to or discuss something about HMRC. It is better to sort things out and immediately that delaying it.
I’ve had lots of conversations with HMRC lately and have to say that none of them are as bad as expected. Just hate waiting to speak to someone that’s all!
It’s great you can say that after the number of conversations you must have had with them. They’re only human after all 🙂
I have recently become self employed and hmrc terrifies me ha x
It’s strange isn’t it – when I had a permanent job and was on PAYE I didn’t give tax a second thought. Not I’m self employed I need to be more aware, and really understand taxes. I’m fortunate now that my accountant can deal with HMRC for me, it’s great having that help.