HMRC or Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is a department within the government of the United Kingdom responsible for taxes and customs. As the sole recognized authority on matters regarding tax and customs, the department ensures that money is available for funding all public services in the United Kingdom. It enjoys the support of Valuation Office Agency in the UK.
The department is responsible for obtaining funding for supporting families and individuals by collecting taxes and customs. It is able to engage in facilitating legitimate trade while protecting the economic as well and social and physical security of the United Kingdom nationals through running an efficient customs service. It is not a ministerial department.
HMRC Services
The department came into existence through the Act of Parliament in 2005. It replaced IRCE, or Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise. The department safeguards the flow of money going to the Exchequer through several activities such as collection of taxes in addition to compliance with and enforcement of tax laws in the United Kingdom.
It ensures the availability of money for funding all public services in the UK. It is responsible for facilitating legitimate international trade while protecting the economic, fiscal, physical and social security of the United Kingdom. It also collects all trade statistics involving the UK. It administers Statutory Payments, tax credits, Child Benefit and government banking service.
Contacting HMRC Customer Service
As a government department, HMRC is full of several departments. The number to call depends on the exact question or issue that you want the department to address. For example, the numbers you should call when in need of assistance from the office handling Income Tax enquiries is 0845 300 0627. All enquiries on customs duties, excise and VAT go through 0845 010 9000.
For assistance with Self Assessment, you should direct your call to 0845 900 0444. Questions on Tax Credit as well as Child Tax Credit go through 0345 300 3900. As for Child Benefit, the number that all UK nationals should call from anywhere in the country is 0845 302 1444. The best thing is to call and ask the exact office to direct your question to and get an answer.
HMRC Contact Tips
Most of the services that the department provides through telephones are available from Monday to Friday alone. Only a few services are available on Saturdays. On the other hand, none of the services or telephone numbers are available on Sundays and bank holidays. Similarly, check the opening times to avoid placing the call when the office you need to handle your issue is closed.
