The tax office has issued an update to say that its helplines are currently closed
HMRC has issued an alert regarding its helplines (stock image) (Image: Getty)
His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an alert stating that its telephone helplines are currently unavailable owing to a ‘technical’ problem. The tax authority shared a notice on X regarding the disruption, whilst emphasising that it is ‘urgently working’ to fix it.
The post, published at 12.12pm today (January 15) said: “Our helplines are currently closed due to a technical issue, which we’re urgently working to resolve. We apologise to customers and advise them to try calling us later. Our digital services remain available.”
HMRC included a link to the UK Government’s website, where people can discover how to obtain the tax office’s mobile application. The HMRC app can be downloaded free of charge from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
After establishing a personal ID, people can typically access the app by logging in using either a six-digit pin, fingerprint or facial recognition. Through the app, they can carry out various functions and review the following:
- Tax code
- National Insurance number
- Income and benefits
- Employment and income history from the previous five years
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for Self Assessment
- Self-Assessment tax and how much you owe
- Child Benefit
- State Pension forecast
- Gaps in National Insurance contributions
People can also use it to:
- Track forms and letters you have sent
- Claim a refund if you have paid too much tax
- Ask HMRC’s digital assistant for help and information
- Update your name
- Update your address
- Save your National Insurance number to your digital wallet
- Check for gaps in your National Insurance contributions and the benefits of paying them
- Check if you can make a payment for gaps in your National Insurance contributions
- Choose to be contacted by HMRC electronically, instead of by letter
- Get an estimate of the tax you need to pay
- Make a Self-Assessment payment
- Make a Simple Assessment payment
- Set a reminder to make a Self-Assessment payment
- Access your Help to Save account
- Use HMRC’s tax calculator to work out your take-home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance deductions
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In a statement published to the Government’s website in December, Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, also explained: “The HMRC app has become one of the quickest and easiest ways to check your tax affairs and we’ve seen even more customers embrace it this year. If you choose to use the app you can access the information you need straight through your phone.”
In 2025, HMRC saw more than four million downloads and over 136 million logins to its app. It claimed that customers are generally using it to stay in control of everyday tax tasks, with noticeable ‘strong growth’ in several areas.
This particularly included a major rise in older and retired people viewing State Pension forecasts, alongside hundreds and thousands seeking to claim the Child Benefit. Saving National Insurance numbers to digital wallets remained another popular reason to use the app, but its benefits go beyond this.
Earlier in November, Ms Lloyd also said: “It’s not always easy talking about finances, especially between generations. As part of Talk Money Week, we’re encouraging families to lean into talking about money.
“From budgeting tips to tax basics, the HMRC app makes it easy to access tax information and kick start those important conversations. You can download the HMRC app today.”
For more information, visit GOV.UK here.
