HMRC online and phone - an endless circle of nonsense

I've been trying to sort out my tax for last year.

First time I've been Self-employed in over 10 years.

Has anyone else tried to get themselves a form to fill in whether online or on paper?

It's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE!

I've tried to register, which took an hour of the website sending you around in cirlces. Then when I finally filled it in, it says I need my UTR number. I haven't got a clue where that is! Searched how to get that, and it says it's on your previous forms. I've tried to access my old account (which I can't ever recall using online back then) - to get your details and update your record, key in your NI number and UTR number. I've rang the number to speak to someone, went through option after option, including don't know UTR number - to which it said, we cannot speak to you right now, go to HMRC online and follow the instructions.

It's just not possible to get anywhere. I've spent hours now on this on different days - because it gives me a headache each time.

---------- Post added 02-06-2016 at 11:26 ----------

As a last resort, I asked 'the helpline (online)

I don't know my ID (didn't even know I had one)

I don't know my password (see above)

It won't let me register because I already have an account

It won't let me access my account because I need my UTR (unknown) and NI

When you ask for your details to be refreshed which it says take 3 weeks, on the register form, it WILL NOT let you send them a form without the UTR.

This was my reply

Click "lost password" and request the password by post.

or

Once you have both the user id and password, please login and go to your account to update the email for future use.

:hihi:

on the flip side, they will be quick to issue you your fine if you fail to file by the required date.

Sack of crap

on the flip side, they will be quick to issue you your fine if you fail to file by the required date.

 

Sack of crap

too right.

In the past, I just filled in forms, done!

Now I can't even get a form online to fill in!

It's no wonder people fiddle, they probably can't get through to anyone even if they wanted

Go to an accountant

Save yourself the hassle

I've been trying to sort out my tax for last year.

 

First time I've been Self-employed in over 10 years.

 

Has anyone else tried to get themselves a form to fill in whether online or on paper?

 

It's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE!

 

I've tried to register, which took an hour of the website sending you around in cirlces. Then when I finally filled it in, it says I need my UTR number. I haven't got a clue where that is! Searched how to get that, and it says it's on your previous forms. I've tried to access my old account (which I can't ever recall using online back then) - to get your details and update your record, key in your NI number and UTR number. I've rang the number to speak to someone, went through option after option, including don't know UTR number - to which it said, we cannot speak to you right now, go to HMRC online and follow the instructions.

 

It's just not possible to get anywhere. I've spent hours now on this on different days - because it gives me a headache each time.

 

---------- Post added 02-06-2016 at 11:26 ----------

 

As a last resort, I asked 'the helpline (online)

 

I don't know my ID (didn't even know I had one)

I don't know my password (see above)

It won't let me register because I already have an account

It won't let me access my account because I need my UTR (unknown) and NI

When you ask for your details to be refreshed which it says take 3 weeks, on the register form, it WILL NOT let you send them a form without the UTR.

 

 

This was my reply

 

Click "lost password" and request the password by post.

 

or

 

Once you have both the user id and password, please login and go to your account to update the email for future use.

 

:hihi:

Been doing it on line for years and never had a problem.

---------- Post added 02-06-2016 at 13:12 ----------

on the flip side, they will be quick to issue you your fine if you fail to file by the required date.

 

Sack of crap

Also quick to scrap it when you explain they were wrong to issue it.

Been doing it on line for years and never had a problem.

It's probably quite easy once your details are on there.

What do you suggest when I have no idea about my log in details?

I just got another email back from them, saying if you have not got your log in details, then fill in this form...

I looked at it, and the UTR is mandatory on the form. It won't let me click on 'next' until I put this in.

It's probably quite easy once your details are on there.

 

What do you suggest when I have no idea about my log in details?

 

I just got another email back from them, saying if you have not got your log in details, then fill in this form...

 

I looked at it, and the UTR is mandatory on the form. It won't let me click on 'next' until I put this in.

Its along time since I registered but I remember that you fill in an on-line form and they send you an activation number by post, it lasts for a month I believe and is entered when you log in.

Have you registered?

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/login?GAREASONCODE=-1&GARESOURCEID=Common&GAURI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home&Reason=-1&APPID=Common&URI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home

info on your UTR number.

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/information/help?helpcategory=security&helpid=UniqueTaxpayReference

This one might also be helpfull.

http://www.gateway.gov.uk/

Its along time since I registered but I remember that you fill in an on-line form and they send you an activation number by post, it lasts for a month I believe and is entered when you log in.

 

Have you registered?

 

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/login?GAREASONCODE=-1&GARESOURCEID=Common&GAURI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home&Reason=-1&APPID=Common&URI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home

 

info on your UTR number.

 

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/information/help?helpcategory=security&helpid=UniqueTaxpayReference

 

This one might also be helpfull.

 

http://www.gateway.gov.uk/

Got my UTR number after 28 days by post. Tried again to log in details, and it wants to know the date I last used the log in details - to the month!

Who the **** knows that? It's a mandatory question which doesn't allow me to click on 'don't know'. So I guessed, obviously wrongly because I got an email sending me back to the same page I started at.

It's the worst site I've ever seen.

Since we moved over here we've had to complete a tax form every year.

At first I thought no problem, I can do it online. Er, no. Because we live abroad we have to print, fill in and send hard copies via DHL to the tune of £40.....

Work that one out.

Since we moved over here we've had to complete a tax form every year.

 

At first I thought no problem, I can do it online. Er, no. Because we live abroad we have to print, fill in and send hard copies via DHL to the tune of £40.....

 

Work that one out.

I wish I could even get a hard paper copy to send them! They don't believe I'm me!

ash,

My sincerest sympathy. I know exactly what you talking about.

I've only ever once self-assessed and it was aa nightmare. I know soeme people are quite good at it and do it all the time.

However, once was enough for me. I ended up in a protracted row over tax which I didn't owe them.

Good luck.

Spare a thought for our support workers who have to deal with this sort of crap on a daily basis. I feel your pain