Following a series of complaints from users, the Inland Revenue has temporarily closed its secure mailbox service and apologised to those who want to use the PAYE Online for Employers service.
A Revenue notice said users would not be able to gain access to their mailboxes until Saturday 9 April.
The department explained: “We have had to close the mailbox so that we can install new software which will let you file your 2004-05 Employer’s Annual Return online from 6 April.
“And because we are expecting thousands of employers and agents to file online from the 6th, we have decided to keep the Mailbox closed until the end of the week. This will help lighten the load on our systems at this peak online filing time and minimise the possibility of anything going wrong with our service.”
Those who use payroll software that downloads information straight from the online mailbox will still be able to get the PAYE information they need during the downtime, the Revenue said.
A spokeswoman added, “This is an annual upgrade which is planned many months in advance. It is essential to allow the Inland Revenue to accept Tax Returns and Employers returns for the year.”
Sister site AccountingWEB members were swift to report their difficulties. Eddie Bye, of Fenside Accounting LLP, commented by email: “The website is unavailable – and this is at one of the most crucial times of the year. How are we supposed to have any faith in the future of online services?”
His mail was followed up by three more Any Answers postings. Jim Sayer was first to report that the PAYE site had been unavailable due to maintenance since Monday, with Alan Webb, David Griffiths and Paul Goddard confirming the server was down on Tuesday and Wednesday (5-6 April).
James Stratford raised a wider philosophical question. “What do you think of the Government Gateway?” he asked.
“Having becomed increasingly disillusioned with the service this is just another joke to add to the catalogue of problems,” he commented. “With a proposed central point of e contact for Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise the issue can only get worse.”
