The Inland Revenue has closed down its internet service which enables people to file their self-assessment tax returns online.

A spokesman confirmed the self-assessment page on its website had been suspended last Thursday just two months after it came into operation.

The work is needed so that the returns will automatically be transferred to the individual's tax record. At the moment, Revenue officials have to laboriously enter them on to tax records by hand.

It will now be out of action until next Monday morning.

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk