Closure of Tax Offices would make Brown's tax maze more difficult for small businesses and individuals!

Fewer tax inspectors sounds like a good idea – and if there is no reduction in service to taxpayers, it is.

Yet proposals from Gordon Brown to close 200 tax offices nationally could hit many businesses and individuals – making it more difficult to get advice and help.

Locally, the Government is proposing to shut the tax office at Surbiton currently in the Tolworth Tower, re-directing people to the Kingston office or to the ‘phone and internet.

Will the service for local businesses and income tax payers suffer?

I think it will – but I’m using this column to seek local opinion and feedback, to gauge the effect.

May be you’re a local firm, a local accountant, or a taxpayer – perhaps you’ve had problems with your child tax credit, or your pension credit or completing your tax return before 31st January. Please let me know what you think.

Have you ever visited, in person, the Tolworth Tower tax office? Do you prefer using the ‘phone – or have you had problems getting through when you’ve called? Do you prefer  face-to-face service?

Write to me at 21 Berrylands Rd, Surbiton – or visit my website www.edwarddavey.co.uk and email me to let me know.

I hope to visit the local office to talk to staff and will be writing to Treasury Ministers and the Chairman of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Your contribution will be really helpful.