Tax Question

[simoneta]

Hi,

I received a self assessment statement (Statement Number 041) on the 15th March stating an amount to pay which is now overdue. Admit-tingly, although wasn't a big amount, I was unsure what this was for as I have always worked and paid NI and tax through my employers as never worked for myself.

I called HMRC and asked what this was for and the first lady I spoke to advised me that was SA account was closed and it appears that this may be an error. It was only when I spoke to the lady that she advised me that a SA is usually to do when you are self employed. She raised a query for me and advised that someone will contact me within 3 days.

Unfortunately, no one contacted me as advised, however today I received a letter stating ' I am writing to you further to your phone call on the the 15th March' According to the letter it advises me that the statement relates to 1997/98 showing £187.02 outstanding. According to their records, they say the amount is now due as no up to date address was held for the statement to be sent to me. They advised that has they now have a correct address, the amount outstanding has been put back into charge.

I have called and this time spoke to a gentleman, who have to admit was a little rude, he told me that I would have to pay and then appeal, however he told me that the reason this is outstanding is because although he couldn't tell me which year was from (they could only see records as far back as 2001), he said it appears to be a SA form that you never sent in. I advised that have never received such form and why would I have one any way as never worked for myself. All he would say, its because you never updated my address. However my address as far as I know, never changed till 1999 and then why would I have to update my address surely my employers would do that, which was Tesco's as they usually give me p60 etc at end of tax year.

I would appreciate any help this as cant believe that after 13 years, I owe this considering I have never received such form and when shouldn't apply to myself.

Thanks in advance.

Simon

 

[JonJ678]

Overclock it

 

[stulid]

Overclock it

Not sure if to laugh, or say how very helpful? Might go with my first choice.

 

[stulid]

Back on topic.

Ask them for a copy of this SA, if its that old, it could be before they used the online service so would be a written one(I could be completely wrong with this) it would have to be signed by yourself before handing in, if its not then tell em to prove you owe this amount, It could mistakenly be applied to your account when its actually for someone else.

You could get tesco to write a letter stating when you started full time employment with them.

Got all your P60's? Send them copies.

 

[Mad old tory]

Sounds very odd. HMRC responses can vary very much from person to person so I'd be inclined to ring them again and see what the next person says.

 

[AtreuS]

From my dealings with them, once the truth is uncovered you get a resolution quickly.

HOWEVER

If you are in the situation where they think you owe them money and deadlines are close or have passed then its often best to pay what they want and then appeal and get it back. Until you have appealed and gotten the problem fixed you will be processed and regarded as a tax non payer and things can get nasty very quickly.

Remember HMRC are the one organisation with whom you do not mess... they can get court orders very fast and come kick your door in to reclaim non paid taxes. The fact that you know its wrong wont help until its been sorted though the proper channels. It sucks but thats the way it works.

If they stopped chasing everyone who said "erm thats a mistake" they would get swamped with people trying to avoid paying tax.

 

[edscdk]

if you pay they will buy more bullets for our wars and YOU will be responsible for the death of someone... I'm told they engrave your full name on each bullet brought with your tax

 

[chippie]

I received a self assessment statement (Statement Number 041) on the 15th March stating an amount to pay which is now overdue.

Statement Number 041 means it's the 41st statement that HMRC have issued. This shows that whatever the amount is, it has been there for ages, and that HMRC have previously told you of this amount quite a lot of times.

It was only when I spoke to the lady that she advised me that a SA is usually to do when you are self employed.

Get this bit of info out of your head. Self Assessment (SA) is not just for the self employed, there are loads of reasons for having to complete an SA return. (Income over £100k (prior to 2003-04 having income over around £35k was reason to complete a return), income from property, large amounts of investment income etc etc...

According to the letter it advises me that the statement relates to 1997/98 showing £187.02 outstanding.

Write back, or phone and ask EXACTLY what the amount is. Is it a penalty, plus interest, or is it the result of a tax return, plus interest, or a determination?

According to their records, they say the amount is now due as no up to date address was held for the statement to be sent to me. They advised that has they now have a correct address, the amount outstanding has been put back into charge.

...... All he would say, its because you never updated my address. However my address as far as I know, never changed till 1999 and then why would I have to update my address surely my employers would do that, which was Tesco's as they usually give me p60 etc at end of tax year.

Sounds about right. They didn't have an up to date address for you after you moved, so you didn't receive any letters from HMRC. Now they have your address, so post from them is reaching you again. It is your responsibility to tell HMRC if you move. Your employer won't, and can't do this for you.


So, find out exactly what the amount is, and post back.

 

[simoneta]

Thanks for all your comments, I do appreciate any help or advise.

The gentleman I spoke to advised me that it looks as if it is from an SA form, but can not go back as far as 1997/98 to see exactly, he can only see up to 2001 when he advised me that is no SA accounts for me, they have been closed.

Thanks Chippe, although SA is not just for self employed, my income back then would not have been more than 13,000k and I was living with parents, so I cant even see why I would have been asked to fill out a SA form. Even if the form came, my parents would have passed on the mail as they never moved, infact even to this day, my family still live at the same address.

I have tried to look everywhere to see that it states that once you move address, you need to inform HMRC, however can not find that anywhere.

I have asked them to give me a breakdown and what this relates to etc, until then I am not going to pay anything.

Even though it shows that this is statement 041, this is the first one I ever received and have been living were I am now for 3 years, so why only just now...

 

[chippie]

Thanks for all your comments, I do appreciate any help or advise.

The gentleman I spoke to advised me that it looks as if it is from an SA form, but can not go back as far as 1997/98 to see exactly, he can only see up to 2001 when he advised me that is no SA accounts for me, they have been closed.

Thanks Chippe, although SA is not just for self employed, my income back then would not have been more than 13,000k and I was living with parents, so I cant even see why I would have been asked to fill out a SA form. Even if the form came, my parents would have passed on the mail as they never moved, infact even to this day, my family still live at the same address.

I have tried to look everywhere to see that it states that once you move address, you need to inform HMRC, however can not find that anywhere.

I have asked them to give me a breakdown and what this relates to etc, until then I am not going to pay anything.

Even though it shows that this is statement 041, this is the first one I ever received and have been living were I am now for 3 years, so why only just now...

The people you speak to at HMRC will be able to view ALL the statements on the computer system back to statement no 1, and they will show exactly what the amount it, and where/when it came from. Be persistent, as they can see this information. If they say they can't, they are fobbing you off. Keep asking.

Look on this page http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_078345 near the bottom about if you change address.

HMRC's computersnow talk to the DWP computers, so it is likely that your latest address came from there, or you have contacted HMRC about something else, or they have traced your new address.

As 41 statements have been issued, they must have been going somewhere. May be worth asking what address they did have for you.

 

[pingwing]

Tell them you are a football team and that its really 1998 and you dont need to pay tax as your on tv or something

 

[Mad old tory]

The people you speak to at HMRC will be able to view ALL the statements on the computer system back to statement no 1, and they will show exactly what the amount it, and where/when it came from. Be persistent, as they can see this information. If they say they can't, they are fobbing you off. Keep asking.

Look on this page http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_078345 near the bottom about if you change address.

HMRC's computersnow talk to the DWP computers, so it is likely that your latest address came from there, or you have contacted HMRC about something else, or they have traced your new address.

As 41 statements have been issued, they must have been going somewhere. May be worth asking what address they did have for you.

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure their records only go back about 6 or 7 years or so. Of course they would probably have paper records of older stuff but as if the lazy oiks would get up of their asses and do that for you!

 

[simoneta]

.

Look on this page http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_078345 near the bottom about if you change address.
.

Thanks Chippe, I do appreciate your help and can see that you have helped numerous people on here and I value your advise.

I have looked on this page as you suggested and although it says it is important to change your address with the Tax Office. This doesn't state that it is a legal requirement or that there is a penalty for failing to notify them.

I am not sure if its just me that doesn't know to notify them of a change of address but I have asked a few individuals and they didn't know either and just out of curiosity I asked my girlfriend who is a solicitor if she knew to change address and she too was surprised.

I am going to call them back on friday and ask for further information as you have suggested and I will keep you posted.

Thanks Simon

 

[chippie]

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure their records only go back about 6 or 7 years or so. Of course they would probably have paper records of older stuff but as if the lazy oiks would get up of their asses and do that for you!

yes, i'm sure of that. at least, they could on tuesday when i last looked.

i would check again now, but as i am apparently a lazy oik i can't.