Efficiency

Online HMRC forum launched to give small business owners direct tax advice

A new online HMRC forum has been officially made live, offering company owners a place to askquestions relating to every stage of starting and growing a company.

The forum, launched 2 August, acts as a live message board and displays comments and discussions between self-employed business owners and HMRC’s tax experts.

While no personal or case-specific information can be posted on the forum, a dedicated webchat service is also on offer, where a case can be privately handled by an advisor.

Categories currently include starting (legal structures and record keeping), managing (tax returns and exports) and growing (industry support and employment law) a business, with a separate area for tax credits.

Open public posts already cover areas such as Making Tax Digital updates, first year tax returns and Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

In an official statement, Mel Stride, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the online HMRC forum would act as a valuable resource for founders and freelancers.

the UK’s 5.4m small businesses play a vital role in our economy. We want to help businesses get off the ground and support them as they grow, Stride said.

that is why we are launching a new forum and webchat service which will give these companies useful hints and tips including how to complete tax returns, grow a business and trade outside the UK so that they can continue to flourish.

Today @HMRCgovuk launches the #smallbusiness forum, an easy way for small businesses to get their questions answered https://t.co/gfcWvl09pK

? Mel Stride MP (@MelJStride) August 1, 2017