UK Authorities Scale Back Use of Taxpayer Self-Help Phone Line

UK tax authorities will close their self-assessment telephone helpline for taxpayers for six months each year, as they continue to encourage the use of online services instead.

The self-assessment line will be closed from April to September each year and customers will be directed online, HM Revenue and Customs said Tuesday. The line will remain open from October through March to deal with “priority queries,” HMRC said, though customers with issues that can be quickly and easily resolved will still be directed online.

• In addition, HMRC’s value-added tax helpline will be open only five days each month ahead of ...