HMRC Self-Assessment Helpline Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

HMRC Self-Assessment Helpline

James Sunderland Excerpts
Wednesday 20th March 2024

(1 month, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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I mentioned in my opening comments—I will stress it again because it is important that nobody scaremongers about this—that it was never intended, and never would have been the case, that the vulnerable, the digitally excluded or those with complex affairs would be unable to access these services, even with the proposals set out yesterday. On that particular point, the hon. Gentleman is just wrong.

James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
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I am grateful to the Minister for his statement, which I welcome. Last September, in this very place, I raised the issue of heavy fines being imposed on self-employed constituents for late submission of self-assessment forms, even though no moneys were owed. I met the Minister in post at the time, but will the current Minister please write to me with an update on progress?

Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. I reiterate that there is a very good reason why HMRC’s structure and relationship with Government is as it is, because it would be inappropriate for Ministers to interfere with individual tax affairs. However, I would be more than happy to raise his point with HMRC and respectfully ask that it pays it due attention. Of course, the Government set broader policy.