Monday, November 19, 2012

TAXING IS TRULY TAXING

Worried that tax had been underpaid, and unable to get through to an alternative office by phone, the tax payer wrote a letter  explaining what was wanted and why.   The letter from the tax office in reply,  makes the following requests:

"Would you please contact us at the number given and tell us why you require self assessment tax forms for previous years.  Please quote the national insurance number in this letter,  it will help deal with the call, "  

That's all fine then.   Now it is confirmed that you have to have a reason to ask for a tax assessment and to receive the form/s.  But, just a minute, the reason was given in the letter requesting the forms.

Telephone call made, numerous menus negotiated, an operator is updated on the reason for the call. He has to go off and speak to a supervisor....

The operator returns and is then told in more detail why tax assessment forms are required.....

He has to go off again to speak to his supervisor.....

The operator returns for the third and last time saying, okay then, we'll email your request for the tax assessment forms to the main tax office - you might hear something in about three or four weeks.
                                                                                       




8 comments:

Jennytc said...

And the government wonders why so much due tax is never actually collected!

Anonymous said...

I've been having to deal with the tax office quite a lot recently and found it veers between outright farcical and highly frustrating.
They rank as the worst government department I've ever had to deal with. Flighty xx

ZACL said...

Hi Jennyta,

Precisely! And this is from an easy target not a tax avoider. You wonder how much real effort is being put into tax recovery from those who use all available means not to pay.

ZACL said...

Hello Mr F.

The staff cuts and office closures to create 'more efficient' government departments are a farce. they are anything but efficient. Incompetent would be a kind description.

The outsourcing helplines have untrained operators. The whole system is set up to avoid personal communication with the public. No wonder people develop even greater phobias about operating with Government departments.

Anonymous said...

It is extraordinary how offices cannot deal with anything outside the boxes they have been told to tick. Has someone surgically removed their initiative?

Snowbird said...

Wow, that's unbelievable!xxxxx

ZACL said...

The staff who had the expertise have been deployed elsewhere, so local offices could be closed. Others have left the government departments, or retired. Anyone who had the level of expertise that used to be employed in tax offices, can get better rewards elsewhere for less hassle.

You know, GillyK, if something was surgically removed, matters might radically improve. We just have to decide what and where is best.

ZACL said...

Hi PP,

Unbelievable is what it is. Believe it though, as that is what is happening. The evidence is in black and white and sent in the post from the so-called authorities in their standard brown envelopes.