Key takeaways
- HMRC's quickest month in 2025/26 was March 2026, with an average wait of 7 minutes 3 seconds for an adviser.
- December 2025 had the longest average wait, 16 minutes 45 seconds, even though fewer calls came in than in any other month.
- January is HMRC's busiest month for calls: 2.96 million calls arrived in January 2026, against about 2.4 million in a typical month.
- HMRC's average wait in August 2026 was 8 minutes 20 seconds, the shortest month so far in 2026/27.
- HMRC does not publish wait times by day of the week or time of day, so claims about a quietest day are not backed by official data.
- HMRC webchats were answered in about 2 minutes on average from April to August 2026, far quicker than the phone.
The best time to call HMRC, on its own figures, is in spring and late summer: March 2026 had the shortest average wait at 7 minutes 3 seconds. The worst months are December and July, and January brings the most calls. HMRC does not publish waits by day or hour, so the surest way to cut your wait is to call outside the peak months or use webchat.
Which month has the shortest HMRC queue?
March is the quickest month in HMRC’s latest full-year data. The table shows HMRC’s average speed of answer, meaning the time spent in the queue for an adviser, from its 2025/26 quarter 4 performance data, published 9 July 2026.
| Month | Average wait | Callers waiting over 10 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | 13m 31s | 49.7% |
| May 2025 | 12m 45s | 48.7% |
| June 2025 | 13m 24s | 52.7% |
| July 2025 | 14m 57s | 57.0% |
| August 2025 | 13m 25s | 56.0% |
| September 2025 | 12m 47s | 52.2% |
| October 2025 | 11m 46s | 46.6% |
| November 2025 | 13m 27s | 52.8% |
| December 2025 | 16m 45s | 55.0% |
| January 2026 | 12m 14s | 44.6% |
| February 2026 | 10m 27s | 41.0% |
| March 2026 | 7m 03s | 27.5% |
| Full year | 12m 35s | 48.2% |
These are averages across all HMRC helplines. Individual lines, such as Self Assessment or VAT, can be quicker or slower.
Why are December and July slow?
HMRC does not give reasons in the data, but both months sit just before major payment dates. July leads up to the second payment on account on 31 July. December leads up to the 31 January Self Assessment deadline, and also has fewer working days because of the bank holidays.
December 2025 had the fewest calls of the year, 2.05 million, yet the longest wait. That suggests fewer advisers were available, not more callers.
Is January the worst month to call HMRC?
January has the most calls but not the longest wait. HMRC received 2.96 million calls in January 2026, against 2.05 million in December 2025, yet the average wait was 12 minutes 14 seconds, shorter than December.
The next Self Assessment deadline is 31 January 2027, a Sunday. HMRC has not yet said whether phone lines will open that weekend. For the 2026 deadline, the Self Assessment helpline page showed Saturday 31 January opening of 9am to 4pm by phone and 8am to 4pm by webchat. See our Self Assessment helpline guide for updates.
How long are HMRC queues in 2026?
Waits have fallen in 2026/27 so far. HMRC’s August 2026 data, published 8 October 2026, shows these averages.
| Month | Average wait | Calls received |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 11m 36s | 2.48 million |
| May 2026 | 11m 26s | 2.18 million |
| June 2026 | 11m 46s | 2.39 million |
| July 2026 | 9m 38s | 2.38 million |
| August 2026 | 8m 20s | 1.87 million |
The year-to-date average was 10 minutes 37 seconds, against 12 minutes 35 seconds for the whole of 2025/26. Figures for September onwards had not been published when we checked on 6 November 2026.
What is the best day and time to call HMRC?
HMRC does not publish queue times by day of the week or time of day. Consumer websites often say Mondays are busiest and mid-week is quieter, but we could not find official data to support that.
What is certain is the opening hours. Most HMRC helplines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and close on bank holidays. Calling soon after opening at least gives you the full day to get through.
How to cut your wait
- Try webchat first. HMRC answered webchats in 2 minutes 3 seconds on average from April to August 2026.
- Avoid December and the weeks before 31 January if your query can wait.
- Check the reply tool. HMRC’s reply timescale tool, updated weekly, tells you if it is too early to chase.
- Use the right number. A wrong line means a transfer and a second queue. See our HMRC telephone numbers list.
- Have your details ready. Keep your National Insurance number or UTR, and the tax year, to hand.
- Use inclusive minutes. HMRC’s 0300 numbers count towards them; see is there a free HMRC phone number?
Which route suits you?
- If you are an accountant calling about a client, use the Agent Dedicated Line or the agent webchat.
- If your query is a tax code or refund, try your personal tax account or the HMRC app before calling.
- If you cannot pay a bill, set up a payment plan online where you can; see HMRC Time to Pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quietest month to call HMRC?
In 2025/26 it was March, with an average wait of 7 minutes 3 seconds. Only 27.5% of callers waited more than 10 minutes.
What is the busiest month for HMRC phone calls?
January, with 2.96 million calls in January 2026. The longest average wait, though, was December 2025 at 16 minutes 45 seconds.
What is the quietest day to call HMRC?
HMRC does not publish waits by day. Claims that one weekday is quieter come from consumer sites, not HMRC data.
How long is the HMRC queue now?
The latest published month, August 2026, had an average wait of 8 minutes 20 seconds. The 2026/27 average to August was 10 minutes 37 seconds.
What time do HMRC phone lines open?
Most HMRC helplines open at 8am and close at 6pm, Monday to Friday. They are closed on bank holidays.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.