Friday 31 August 2012
In order to concentrate on examining tax returns and issuing assessments, the Income Tax Office telephone system will be closed each Thursday, for a 3 month period, commencing 6 September 2012. In addition, on each of these Thursdays, the public counter facilities will close at 14:00
Tax Officers are currently dealing with around 650 calls a week from the general public, spending approximately 29 hours a week on the telephone. This is significantly affecting their ability to examine returns and issue assessments. Unfortunately, previous requests, via the media, that telephone calls are only made when matters are urgent, have not been successful.
The Director says:
"Regrettably, we are falling behind with the issue of assessments this year. We are dealing with returns filed on-line from 29 August but the Tax Officers are only just dealing with paper returns received from the beginning of March. Whilst the Team is working really hard to get returns and assessments processed, the constant interruption of the telephone does cause delays. The Treasury and Resources Board has agreed that the best short term solution is for the telephones to be closed for 1 day a week, and staff will use this time to concentrate on processing returns. Our public counter area will be open until 14:00 each Thursday, as normal, to deal with payments, issuing of coding notices etc.
We regret having to take this course of action and apologise for any inconvenience it may cause taxpayers. Telephones and other opening times for other weekdays will be unaffected."
Contact Information
Rob Gray, Director, Income Tax Office
Tel: 01481 724 711
