Don't know if I am posting in the right section but it is about HMRC.   Today I needed to call them & had the no 0845 3003939 with the Bootle address.   According to the database, the equivalent geo no is 023 92703003, however when I rang this number I was told it was the accountants priority line.  I was then asked where I got the no, I said "on the internet" which brought the response "oh, saynoto 0870 I suppose" in somewhat unfriendly tones!   The man said he would speak to me on this occasion but normally I would be turned away and would have to use the 0845 no in future (pointed out I don't use such nos & would find another alternative!)   However, I thought I should post this info as it might be better to try the other geo equivalent (0151) and mark the 023 as the accountants priority line to save future users any unpleasantness.

I assume this is the 'Agents' line, which usually is for Accountants. I always use these lines and have never had any problems, they are usually very friendly. In fact as I look after my wife's finances I had to be registered as her agent so that they could discuss her affairs with me so to be honest there isn't a great deal of difference in the nature of the calls except that the calls on the Agents line are probably going to from people slightly more on the ball when it comes to tax issues.

It sounds like they are getting a lot more calls from the general public on these lines :) They should know what they have to do - 0345......