HMRC have confirmed they are closing their VAT and Corporation Tax (CT) phone lines on Fridays throughout December. Last Friday 3^rd was the first day the lines were closed and they will also be closed on the 10^th and 17^th December with the exception of the bereavement line. HMRC have advised this is a trial, which opens the possibility that the closure may continue until things are back on track! 

HMRC have advised the closures are to allow them to deal with a backlog of post that has accumulated over the year as other work was prioritised during COVID-19. 

However, HMRC have confirmed they expect things to be back to normal pre-pandemic levels of service by April 2022. Customers will be advised in the first week of January if the closures of the VAT and CT telephone lines will continue.