Agent Update June-July 2009 issue 12
Service
Business Payment Support Service (BPSS)
Important information for those affected by the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain Limited (DFOB)
If your clients are affected by the recent collapse of DFOB and are worried about meeting tax payments, you should advise them to contact the BPSS helpline on Tel 0845 302 1435. The dedicated team will be able to assess their situation and find out what options they have to make arrangements to pay over a longer period.
Debt management
Pilot scheme for debt collection agencies
A pilot scheme has been launched by HMRC to explore the use of private debt collection agencies for the recovery of some debts. The trial will last six months and any debtors will receive a letter explaining what we are doing before their debt is transferred to an agency.
Online updates
Sign up to receive reminders for future Agent Updates (Opens new window)
Agents can now receive automatic reminders of when Agent Update is published by registering online.
Phishing scam
HMRC phishing scam ‘Tax Refund’ - do not act upon spoof emails
Many current spoof emails are offering tax rebates. These emails are being sent from bogus ‘HMRC Tax Refunds Online’ and ‘HMRC Tax Refunds On-line’ websites. They are not official emails and should not be acted upon. Do not visit the websites contained within the emails or disclose any personal or payment information.
Tax Credits Helpline text message trials to customers
As part of text message security trials, your clients may be contacted by SMS text message and asked to ring the HMRC Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 – if asked to ring any other number please report this to your HMRC Contact Centre to prevent fraud.
Self Assessment
Agents can file Self Assessment returns online for earlier tax years
From 6 April 2009, Self Assessment customers and agents can file Self Assessment returns online for earlier tax years, using either HMRC software or commercial software from a list of approved providers. The 2007-08 return is the first ‘earlier year’ return available online and customers will be able to file this tax return online during the 2009-10 tax year, and for several years after that.
SME support
Delivering a new relationship with business - reducing burdens and supporting business (PDF 178K)
This 2009 Budget paper details progress made by HMRC against administrative burden targets and its support for small and medium sized businesses.
