Reply to: Flipping HMRC

[Spartacus]

Aren't you glad your tax pounds are being well spent?

Okay, so despite the fact that the problem appears on the service issues page of the HMRC webtulip, I've just received this email...

From: Online Services Helpdesk [[email protected]]

Dear Spartacus

Thank you for your email.

We are not aware of any issues with the website please contact the helpdesk if the problem persists.

Regards

Online Services Helpdesk

Can anyone spot the flaw in the "rigorous and robust procedures" (copyright: A. Darling) they have in place here?

[lilelvis2000]

It had not been processed yet.

Bzzzzttt. got my "all clear" in November. ha ha ha ha ha

[Bumfluff]

I had to laugh (grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr). Whe I went to do my online filing I had a problem with the web pages updating and accepting what I had entered.
I rang the help desk and they asked which browser I was using. I said internet explorer. They said that their webservices were not entirelycompatible with IE. I couldnt believe that HMRCs web site doesnt work with THE most popular (dont start the MS debate) web browser available. WTF are they playing at?

I got this error when I tried to submit it online I rang them and they directed me to the link about IE not being compatable, I asked them the same thing 'Your telling me that online SA is not compatable with the most popular browser in the World' response was urrrmmm yeah. Anyway I left it 10 minutes didnt do a thing to my PC or IE setup tried again and it worked. Im pretty sure this incompatability is bull sh*t, the real problem is SA online cant cope.

[AtW]

The difference is in that if commercial companies fail to collect money, then the money will go elsewhere and those commercial companies can go bust, on the other hand Her Majesty's Customs and Excise server won't go bust anyway, and if you don't pay them on time you might go to jail.

Given that no suprise they suck IT wise - I doubt internally workers there love high degree of automation anyway because it would result in cut in their jobs.

[thunderlizard]

It is bonkers. Most organisations have to provide goods or services, and collect money for them, and they manage to do both bits passably well. HMRC just has to do the collecting money bit, and they still whoops it up most of the time.

[AtW]

I doubt it was anywhere near that cheap.

Apologies, I had old information about those rip-off charges, they must have gone up considerably...

[Spartacus]

Billed at £1000+VAT/day by entures of this world no doubt

I doubt it was anywhere near that cheap.

[AtW]

Bob Shawadiwadi I think.

Billed at £1000+VAT/day by entures of this world no doubt

[Spartacus]

Souds like EDS did a stellar job, or however it was doing this web stuff for them.

Bob Shawadiwadi I think.

[AtW]

Souds like EDS did a stellar job, or however it was doing this web stuff for them.

[Spartacus]

Ooooh, and here's my problem on the service issues page...

Some individuals and agents are receiving an application error message when accessing the Self Assessment service from the Your services page. If you receive this message, please follow the onscreen instructions and contact the Online Services Helpdesk for assistance. This is currently under investigation.

FWIW, the "on-screen instructions" are "please try again later".

[Spartacus]

I had to laugh (grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr). Whe I went to do my online filing I had a problem with the web pages updating and accepting what I had entered.
I rang the help desk and they asked which browser I was using. I said internet explorer. They said that their webservices were not entirelycompatible with IE. I couldnt believe that HMRCs web site doesnt work with THE most popular (dont start the MS debate) web browser available. WTF are they playing at?

Here it is in black and white. HMRC recommends Firefox...

When accessing the HMRC Online Services with Internet Explorer 6, you may receive an error 'The Page Cannot Be Displayed'. Please see Microsoft Article 326155 which provides in depth information on the causes and resolution for this problem. Should you be unable to resolve this issue, you can download Firefox or Opera as an alternative web browser.

[AtW]

I filed mine in October, on paper, and had no incompatibilities.

It had not been processed yet.

[Spartacus]

Ffs!

Thank you for your e-mailed message, which we received today.

Your message is now being allocated to one of our advisors for action.

You will receive a response within the next few days.

Inaction, more like.

Anyone know any good porn sites I can visit in the meantime?

[lilelvis2000]

I filed mine in October, on paper, and had no incompatibilities.