Get help from HMRC if you need extra support
If you need more time because of your circumstances
In certain circumstances, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can give you an extension to a deadline or spend more time with you on the phone. You can ask for more time if, for example:
- you have a mental health condition, like depression, stress or anxiety
- you have a visual impairment, dyslexia, autism or cognitive difficulties
- you have another condition which means you need more time
- you’re experiencing financial difficulties - for example, if you’ve been laid off because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
- you’re receiving treatment in hospital (someone else can ask HMRC for you)
- you’re a victim of domestic abuse, including economic abuse
How to ask for more time
To ask for more time because of your circumstances, call the relevant contact number and tell HMRC what help you need. They will transfer you to HMRC’s extra support team. You may need to prove why you need more time.
You can also contact HMRC’s extra support team using webchat.
If you’ve been contacted about a compliance check
HMRC may send you a letter to say your tax affairs are being checked. This is sometimes called a ‘compliance check’.
If this happens, you’ll need to contact your compliance officer to ask for more time. Their contact details are in the letter.
Find out about other help and support you can get with compliance checks.