Potential Strike Action at HMRC on 31 January 2008

This is to let you know the latest position on the proposed strike action by members of the Public and Commercial Service Union on 31 January 2008 and how this will affect filing Self Assessment (SA) returns on that day.

Although the outcome of the ballot has not yet been announced we think it is best to be prepared and plan on the basis that there will be some form of industrial action on 31 January.

If there is, we will be doing everything we can to provide all the necessary services to our customers. We were faced with similar action at this time last year and succeeded in maintaining good levels of service to support SA filing and paying, by directing resources to our Enquiry Centres and ensuring that members of the public and agents could access our services as normally as possible right up to the deadline.

In the event of strike action taking place we intend to do the same on 31 January this year. We will aim to open all of our offices as normal. So our Enquiry Centres will be open for the normal office hours across the UK to respond to customer enquiries and receive SA returns.

If, however, a customer (or agent) finds it impossible to deliver a return on 31 January as a direct result of industrial action, and the return is then filed on 1 February, we will treat it as filed on 31 January for all purposes (including the SA enquiry window).

If you are able to help us reduce the demand on our Enquiry Centres by filing before 31 January it would be appreciated.