I think I've replaced Barclays with the Inland Revenue.

I'm going to be working in HK for 6mths, so need to notify HM R&C. Simple, right? I complete a form, send it off, and all should be OK. Obviously it won't be OK, but we'll come to that in around 7 months time.

I finally found, downloaded, printed and completed the required HM R&C Form. I then needed to find out where to send it. I went on the HM R&C website. I go to the "contact us" section. It provides a raft of options. Unfortunately it doesn't tell me where my "local" tax office is. Follow "L", and "London" isn't an option. "Kent" has an 0845 number, and there was an everlasting wait for someone to answer. I abandoned this option and tried the list of helpful answers on the website. Unfortunately it didn't tell me how to contact them.

I ended up calling a random helpdesk number, something to do with returning a self-assessment tax form. After a while I was verified. I was then told that my local tax office was Salford. Salford? That's hardly local. I did try to argue, but I didn't really get anywhere.

So, my form has gone off to Salford. Who knows what will happen en route. In the meanwhile, I've tried to close one of my accounts with Barclays. Just wait for that saga to unfold.