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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced a dedicated "Civil Disorder" Helpline to assist businesses and individuals affected by the riots and civil disorder recently experienced across cities in the UK:

0845 366 1207 - 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week

HMRC has said it is determined to do all it can to help and the Helpline will in particular:

1. Agree payment schedules with those who are unable to pay their tax bills because of short-term financial difficulties, and
2. Discuss practical solutions where businesses and individuals cannot meet other obligations to HMRC which they might have - for instance, where records have been lost or destroyed

HMRC asks that callers have to hand their tax reference, such as National Insurance Number or Unique Taxpayer Reference for individuals, or VAT Number for VAT-registered businesses - but if this information is not available then operators may still be able to help.

This initiative will be most welcome for the many businesses and individuals who have been affected by the events of the last few days, and is reminiscent of the introduction of the Business Payment Support Service (BPSS) in late 2008. (In fact, they will use the same parameters as the BPSS for assisting people with tax bills in (1) above).

We understand that HMRC currently expects that this Helpline will be operating for months rather than weeks to come; HMRC realises that tax is unlikely to be an urgent priority for those currently contemplating the loss of their businesses or their homes.

Further information at HMRC Help for Customers Affected by Civil Disorder