Will tax officers' strike action affect tax returns?

Date: 16th January 2012

UK taxpayers could be set to notice delays in receiving support for their self-assessment tax returns.

That is after tax officers announced that they are to hold 30-minutes walk outs at regular internals in protest over plans to privatise their jobs.

This could encourage a number of business owners and contractors to seek the advice of a specialist accountancy service to ensure they meet the forthcoming deadline for tax returns, which passes on January 31st.

According to the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union, HMRC is attempting to privatise tax officer's jobs.

However, the department claims that the hiring of two private firms to trial call handling comes as part of a wider plan to improve its working processes.

A spokesman for HMRC told the BBC: "The project is not about outsourcing or replacing HMRC jobs. It is ultimately about finding ways to improve the service we provide to our customers."

However Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, countered: "When jobs in HMRC and the civil service are being cut in their tens of thousands, it is entirely wrong to start handing contracts to private companies."

Contractors concerned about how they will be affected by the strikes could be tempted to seek the advice of a specialist accountancy service over the coming days.

Posted by Emily Smith