Taxpayers 'will lose out in government reform'

Tuesday, July 6 2010

A campaign organisation has voiced its disapproval of plans to reduce the number of hours the government's tax helplines will be open.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) believes a cut in the amount of time help will be available will hit taxpayers hard, making life for those who earn the least particularly tough.

Among the proposals to have been mooted are the closing of all HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) contact points on Sundays, as well as decreasing the time they will be open on bank holidays and Saturdays.

"This is a backward step for an organisation that is supposed to be customer focused. HMRC have failed to fully assess the impact of these changes," says LITRG chairman John Andrews.

He adds the organisation's strategy to focus on online services will only work if taxpayers are given support and the ability to ask questions directly.

HMRC was formed in 2005 and says work is still ongoing on its restructuring programme.