Citizens Advice Isle of Wight is encouraging people to turn to them if they need help with tax issues as they announce a new face to face tax service delivered by expert advisers.
With the news that UK’s tax authority is to close 137 local offices and replace them with 13 regional centres in the next 5 years, Citizens Advice Isle of Wight is to bridge the gap between these proposed changes with a new HMRC funded contract.
In the last year Citizens Advice Isle of Wight has seen a 15% increase in clients with tax related issues and a substantial proportion of the Island’s adult population requiring complex tax advice. Our experience suggests that the number of tax clients has continued to grow particularly because of increasing numbers of Island residents registering as self-employed, and having difficulty accessing mainland services.
The new service will provide:
• Focused information and advice on Self Assessment, PAYE, tax codes, working tax credit and child tax credit including calculation and renewal help
• Education and one to one support for the newly Self Employed. Learn more about self employed jobs.
• Guidance on how to navigate HMRC online resources and form filling
• Guidance on how to set up a personal tax account
• Regular support groups coinciding with HMRC deadlines facilitated by highly trained and dedicated tax advisers.
Citizens Advice Isle of Wight aims to assist over 4000 Isle of Wight clients with several dedicated channels of advice including face to face interviews, telephone consultations and email correspondence.
CEO Gary Dobson said:
“In recent months we have seen increased numbers of clients in debt caused by penalties incurred by a lack of knowledge on tax issues. I am delighted that we can now offer a dedicated team of advisers funded by HMRC to support our clients understanding of their responsibilities and help them to comply with them.”
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