From 23 December 2024 until 14 February 2025, HMRC will be affected by industrial action, which may cause delays in some services. However, HMRC have outlined contingency plans to ensure that critical services remain operational during this period.
The Employer Services phone lines, including the Employer Helpline and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Helpline, will continue to operate from 8am to 6pm. However, employers should be prepared for longer wait times on these helplines due to the industrial action.
While these helplines may face delays, no other services are expected to be impacted. HMRC will provide regular updates through GOV.UK and automated phone messages, which will inform employers and taxpayers of any service changes and advise them on longer wait times.
To minimise delays, employers are strongly encouraged to use HMRC’s digital services rather than waiting for phone assistance. Key services available online include:
- The Construction Industry Scheme digital assistant for quick answers to common CIS queries.
- The Where’s My Reply tool to track the status of CIS refunds. (Individuals are asked to wait until the due date provided by this service has passed before contacting HMRC).
- The Business Tax Account to check balances and other key details.
By using these digital tools, employers can reduce their reliance on phone lines and ensure smoother business operations during this period of industrial action.
This article reflects the position at the date of publication shown above. If you are reading this at a later date you are advised to check that that position has not changed in the time since.
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