If you or your agent were trying to submit your tax return online recently you probably had problems when pressing submit!
The Government’s online access to services point describes itself as; “…an important part of the government’s strategy of developing ‘joined up’ government, enabling people to communicate and make transactions with government from a single point of entry”. But last week a ‘Government Gateway’ crash saw services in many departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC, grind to a halt. For people looking to submit a tax return this basically meant you couldn’t do it.
The intention is that people can use the online portal to complete a variety of diverse processes essential to life as a British citizen, from submitting tax returns to getting a driving licence. So, any failure of the system negatively impacts the lives of ordinary people as they try to process important documentation.
An HMRC spokesperson said that they were trying to fix the problem as fast as possible and that extra staff were drafted in to their phone lines in order to help people who had been attempting to use the online facility.
A couple of widely reported tweets summarise the annoyance felt by users.
“So (3rd time) I get through after an hour only to be told that the Government Gateway is down and to call back tomorrow. #unbelievable.” @NelsonFrancesca.
“@HMRCcustomers. Is there a problem with online filing today? I’ve been trying all morning but can’t submit any SA100s, Payroll details etc.” @phild170282.
