Self-assessment telephone helpline reopens and waiting times are up to an HOUR
Daily Mail HMRC reopened its self-assessment helpline after a three-month break today, but business owners and the self-employed face a wait of up to an hour - and some claim they are being cut off after doing so.
HMRC closed the helpline in June in a move it claimed would free-up staff to help callers with urgent queries because the helpline receives fewer calls over the summer.
But the taxman has been flooded with calls today to the helpline after the long summer break, with many complaining of waiting times longer than an hour.
HMRC says the closure of the self-assessment helpline this summer has meant that it has been able to process around 250,000 additional repayments.
That won't be a source of comfort to those needing help with their tax returns today, though.
