Taxpayers reported being unable to log into HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after phone lines went down this weekend and today.
HMRC closed most of its telephone lines over the weekend due to a technical fault - although it says the issue is now fixed.
The problem led to people struggling to complete tax returns, check inheritance tax details and going without Tax Credit cash.
On Twitter, one taxpayer said: "I phoned to establish whether my father inherited any of my late mother's IHT threshold, as I am dealing with his estate, but the line is currently closed. Is there an alternative way or do I just have to wait until that service is up again?"
Another said: "I need to talk to someone about your estimated tax owed urgently please. How can I do this , when your phones are not taking calls?"
HMRC took down its phone lines to prevent customers wasting time waiting on a phone line, The Mirror understands.
The taxman began putting its telephone lines up again this morning.
An HMRC spokesperson said: “Our helplines are all open and taking calls. Our online services are also working well and we encourage people to use them.
"We thank people for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused by the technical problems over recent days.”
Last week taxpayers reported being unable to log onto the HMRC website for a different reason.
Dozens of Brits reported not getting text messages from HMRC that they needed to log into their accounts, according to outages website DownDetector.
HMRC fixed that problem on Friday, before the phone line issue began.
Millions of Brits have to fill in their self-assessment tax returns before January 31.
You have to complete one of these tax returns if you are self-employed or have more than one income source, like a second job.
Taxpayers can do this online or by by letter, and failing to do so can lead to a fine.
Benefit claimants may find their payments arrive earlier this month due to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
If your money does get sent early, it means your bank account will be replenished sooner than expected following the busy festive season.
But this does mean you’ll need to make your cash last longer. Make sure you budget in January to take any payment changes into account.
There are a few bank holiday days to be aware of over the next few weeks.
Some Christmas and New Year bank holiday days fall on slightly different dates this year - so make sure you jot down all the key days below.
Benefit payments over Christmas explained
The Christmas bank holiday dates are:
- Monday, December 26
- Tuesday, December 27 (replacement Christmas Day bank holiday)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to confirm a full list of benefit payment date changes for Christmas.
But normally, if your benefit payment falls on a bank holiday, then you should receive your cash the previous working day.
This means if you're due a payment on one of the days mentioned above, it is likely you'll be paid on Friday, December 23.
Tax Credit households should be aware of some other changes to their payments.
The DWP website confirms these benefits due on Wednesday, December 28 will also be paid on Friday, December 23 as well.
For payments of Tax Credits due on Thursday, December 29 in England and Scotland, these will be paid on Wednesday, December 28.
Benefit payments over New Year explained
The New Year bank holiday dates are:
- Monday, January 2 (replacement New Year's Day bank holiday)
The DWP also hasn't confirmed a full list of benefit payment date changes for the New Year period.
If it follows the normal patterns, it is likely you'll be paid on Friday, December 30 if your benefit is normally due on January 2.
Tax Credit households expecting a payment on Tuesday, January 3 will also be paid on December 30.
Or if you're due a Tax Credits payment on Wednesday, January 4 in England and Northern Ireland, you should be paid on Tuesday, January 3.
