ICAEW is calling for the immediate creation of a cross-sector taskforce to address long-standing delays at HMRC and an overhaul to address poor design of IT systems and gaps in services online.

The emergency taskforce would be responsible for identifying areas for support to end delays, as well as recommending improvements to HMRC’s service standards to enable business growth.

Taxpayers and accountants are having to wait up to a year for HMRC to respond to queries over the phone or by post, ICAEW said, while callers report that they have waited for more than an hour before being cut off.