A new way to contact HMRC

At last HMRC have agreed to accept emails but only for VAT queries. What are the limitations and benefits of using this service?


Good Communication The government continues promoting its online services but until now HMRC has resisted pressure to use email as a means of communication allegedly for security reasons.


Addressee only If HMRC send you a letter it usually contains personal or confidential information. As the envelope is addressed to the business owner or individual concerned HMRC can be reasonably sure it will be opened by the addressee.


Similarly, HMRC's security checks when you phone them ensure they do not disclose your personal details unwittingly to a third party.


Email addresses, however, are not so secure and can be shared or even accessed by others. HMRC have to find ways round this.


Security 1) HMRC have restricted email enquiries to VAT only, as thrse are least likely to contain personal information.


2) Rather than have a general email address, HMRC have set up a secure online email service accessible through the HMRC website only here .


When you use this service, the response may not be in the same format. HMRC say where they will reply contains confidential information, they will write by post instead. 


Advantages  1) You will have immediate confirmation of receipt of your communication.


2) The stencil Emails HMRC provide will help you frame your question by prompting you for relevant information.


However, your enquiry is limited to a maximum of 2,000 characters and there is no easy way of keeping an electronic copy.


TIP Use a PDF printer to keep an electronic copy. There are plenyy of free ones downloadable from the web. Try here .