Amazon’s artificial intelligence tool, Alexa, has been recruited to help people with their tax credit renewals.
Customers with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices can ask Alexa to ‘open HMRC’ and ask for help and information with a change of circumstances, payment information, or a renewal.
The innovative technology has been launched to help more than three million customers renew their tax credits by the 31 July deadline.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, explained: “As the 31 July deadline for tax credits renewals approaches, customers can feel reassured that they can renew their benefits online or via the HMRC App at a time that suits them. And if they need to access help and support, Alexa can help customers find out about what to do when they receive a renewal pack, how to change their circumstances, or how to find out about payment information.
“We’ve improved our services so customers can renew their tax credits at a time that’s convenient for them.”
Although no personal information is stored on Alexa and customers cannot renew their tax credits using Alexa. The use of it as an information tool is an indication of HMRC’s growing use of online services to support its customers.
In addition to using Alexa for support, tech-savvy customers can also use the HMRC App on their smartphone to:
renew their tax credits check their tax credits payments schedule find out how much they have earned for the year.