May 21, 2012 -- A helpline has been established to offer PAYE and self-assessment assistance to people who have suffered bereavement.

The call centre will be based in Cardiff and forms part of a range of improvements HM Revenue & Customs aims to make in the near future.

Family members or personal representatives who phone HMRC about tax and bereavement will also be able to speak to a dedicated team of advisors.

Additionally, HMRC has simplified its guidance and letters to customers to make the process of dealing with tax following bereavement more straightforward. In response to feedback, the R27 form used to finalise tax affairs following a death has been redesigned with the aim of making it easier to complete.

Stephen Banyard, HMRC's acting director general of personal tax, said: "We know that bereavement can be a very stressful and difficult time for family members. We want to settle the estates of customers who have died as easily and sensitively as possible. HMRC has been working closely with the voluntary sector and customers to improve the experience when dealing with the department after someone has died.

"Our helpline, as well as the other changes that we will introduce over the next two years, will help us to do that."

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: http://www.accountancyage.com