Press release

New help for small businesses launched

A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed has been launched today by HMRC.

Woman at laptop with smartphone

The Small Business Online Forum is a quick and easy way for small businesses to get answers to their tax questions, as well as help with:

  • starting a business
  • support for growing a business – including taking on employees and expanding
  • buying and selling abroad
  • completing tax returns
  • tax credits

Click to access the Small Business Online Forum

Linked to the forum, HMRC’s new dedicated webchat service offers direct support to businesses and the self-employed.

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General, said:

The UK’s 5.4 million small businesses play a vital role in our economy. We want to help businesses get off the ground and support them as they grow.

That is why we are launching a new forum and webchat service which will give these companies useful hints and tips – including how to complete tax returns, grow a business and trade outside the UK – so that they can continue to flourish.

Notes to editors

  1. The Small Business Online Forum forms part of the government’s business tax roadmap announced at Budget 2016.
  2. A pilot was launched in March 2017 and since then the forum has grown to have more than a 1,000 registered users.
  3. The forum does not deal with questions about taxpayers’ individual circumstances. Any comments which include personal information will be deleted.
  4. While no personal or case-specific information is posted on the forum, customers may be offered help through HMRC’s webchat service and their personal case handled by an adviser.
  5. Follow HMRC Press Office on Twitter.
  6. HMRC’s Flickr channel can be found here
Published 1 August 2017