The tax authority had announced the line would close between April and September, directing taxpayers online instead. However, less than 24 hours later, HMRC boss Jim Harra said the helpline would remain open this summer.

“The pace of this change needs to match the public appetite for managing their tax affairs online,” Mr Harra stated. He admitted “more needs to be done” to meet all taxpayers’ needs while transitioning them to digital services.

The proposed closure drew widespread criticism from tax professionals, MPs and the Treasury Committee, which welcomed the U-turn, saying “common sense has prevailed”.

Over 12 million people file self-assessments annually, with many ringing for assistance.

HMRC had also planned to limit VAT and PAYE helplines but scrapped those changes too. MPs said the plans were “mismanaged from the beginning” and prioritised HMRC over vulnerable taxpayers.

The reversal follows reports of poor customer service, with lengthy call waiting times regularly exceeding 10 minutes last year. Tax bodies praised retaining telephone support for those struggling with online systems.

Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Small businesses will definitely be relieved that the drastic reduction in HMRC’s helpline opening hours has been paused. We are very glad that HMRC has listened to the chorus of dismay which greeted its initial announcement.

“While online services are a key part of the communications mix for the tax authority, sometimes there’s just no substitute for a real human on the end of a phone line who can listen, engage, and help untangle issues.

“It’s still also the case that people trying to get through to HMRC by phone face long delays, which is causing dissatisfaction to rise, and shows that the appetite for phone services is still high.

“We want to see HMRC investing in its helplines, to cut waiting times and ensure that small business owners with urgent tax queries can get through with minimal fuss to someone who can help.

“Before phone line cuts are considered, HMRC needs to build capacity in its digital services, as if those are improved – with real people online to offer help instead of chatbots – many small firms like to interact with the tax authority this way, as it can be more flexible and available out of hours.”