HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has today announced a single helpline number – 0845 366 1207 – to help businesses and individuals adversely affected by the recent civil disorder.

The dedicated Civil Disorder helpline is available to provide comprehensive advice and deal sympathetically with problems currently faced by businesses.

HMRC said it will:

* agree payment schedules with those who are unable to pay their tax bills due to short-term financial difficulties; and

* discuss practical solutions where businesses and individuals cannot meet their other obligations to HMRC – for instance, their records have been lost or destroyed in the disturbances.

In these circumstances, and whenever possible, HMRC said it will review any penalties imposed and withhold additional surcharges that would normally be triggered by missed deadlines.