1. Go here: https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill/bank-details
As you can see the Sort Code for paying self assessment taxes is: 08 32 10
The claim is this is part of Barclays Bank.
HMRC’s banking address is:
Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place
London
United Kingdom
E14 5HP
2. Now go here: https://www.gmeiutility.org/search.jsp
And type in any company. Let's take a UK company for example. I typed in Argos, got ARGOS LIMITED which is in the UK. The LEI for this company is: 2138002C57UH77UL1B54
Now go to sortcodes.co.uk and type in the sort code & LEI. You will get the Validation Details and also the IBAN details.
Notice the Validation Details say:
Bank Government Banking
Branch Hmrc Direct Taxes
Notice the IBAN details say:
Sort code / Account - 083210 / 21380025
IBAN - GB17CITI08321021380025
IBAN BIC - CITIGB2L
3. Now go to IBAN.com and type in that IBAN (GB17CITI08321021380025).
Look what comes up:
BIC - CITIGB2L
BRANCH HMRC - DIRECT TAXES
BANK - CITIBANK NA
ADDRESS - c/o Citi CitiGroup Centre Canada Square Canary Wharf
CITY - London
So the IBAN blatantly states Citibank, not Barclays.
4. So now lets look at the UK Sort Code Directory.
Go here & Click CITIBANK NA: http://findsortcodes.co.uk/sort-by-bank-name.php?alphabet=C
Or here's the Direct Link: http://findsortcodes.co.uk/s.php?bankname=CITIBANK+NA
Notice how the sort code is 08-60-71
For the Address:
CITIBANK REMITTANCE SERVICE
Citigroup Centre,, Canada Square,, Canary Wharf,, E14 5LB,
London
England
5. Now look for BARCLAYS BANK PLC: http://findsortcodes.co.uk/sort-by-bank-name.php?alphabet=B
Or here's the Direct Link: http://findsortcodes.co.uk/s.php?bankname=BARCLAYS+BANK+PLC
If you go through all 45 pages, and search in your browser (CTRL + F) for the HMRC sort code 083210, which HMRC claim is BARCLAYS BANK PLC, you won't find it!
Also notice BARCLAYS BANK PLC have exactly 666 sort codes!
6. To leave no stone unturned, let's just type in the 083210 or 08-32-10 directly to see who's Sort Code it is.
What's this? Couldn't find a sort code with your criteria. Please try again by changing search terms.
So HMRC (UK Taxman) is blatantly lying. The sort code they provide isn't part of BARCLAYS BANK PLC. However the IBAN goes directly to CITIBANK NA in Canary Wharf, London!
Will add more pics in next post, didn't realize the limit was 4.