HMRC think I'm claiming JSA

glider3560 · 21 November 2009 at 9:04AM

I worked over the summer holiday for three different companies. As I was employed by them all in a short space of time, my tax was messed up and I was issued with a P45 for each job.

When I finished and went back to uni, I sent form P50 along with all three P45s and a covering letter to my tax office.

I've received a letter from them stating the following:

Thank you for your form P50 claim for repayment.

Our records show that you are claiming Job Seekers Allowance. ...

It goes on about handing it into the benefits office. They have sent me back everything I sent them, including the P50 and my covering letter.

I've never claimed JSA, so was very confused by their letter.

Anyway, I phoned my tax office yesterday and although the lady was very helpful, it sounded as though their computer system was down as she couldn't really do anything.

She offered to send a referral "downstairs" and someone would call me back in 5 working days.

At first I thought it was just a mistake on their part, but its now got me worrying that perhaps someone has stolen my identity.

Is there anything I could possibly do to hurry them up or has anyone experienced anything similar?

System · 21 November 2009 at 9:17AM

The person you spoke to yesterday was correct, The new PAYE was closed down yesterday for the weekend for updating.

If you want to check anything why don't you go to the Jobs and Benefits office and explain what has happend and see if they can help. If your PAYE record says you are on JSA then there are only 2 ways that they can have received that information - from you or electronically from the DWP.

glider3560 · 17 December 2009 at 12:53PM

Just an update in case anyone is interested.

I wrote to a manager at HMRC as I never received my return call. I was contacted, by letter, within a week explaining that their records do show I've claimed JSA but as I've declared I'm not claiming it, they would repay my tax. I then received a cheque for the tax on the following day (excellent, speedy service).

But it begs a question - why do they think I'm claiming JSA? I've written back to them asking where I can find this out (i.e. which job centre I supposedly signed on at).

In case it is identity fraud, I've checked my Experian and Callcredit credit record (currently in the process of doing Equifax) and nothing shows up that shouldn't be there. I can only assume that this is probably just an admin error on the part of HMRC or the DWP?

fengirl_2 · 17 December 2009 at 2:45PM

The DWP is notoriously bad at 'operating' PAYE in that they often fail to issue P45's when people sign off, or else they lose P45's given to them and stick all claimants on code BR which means they then have to sort their codes out when they resume work. (There is a thread on these lines in the employment section at present.) If the average employer was as poor at operating PAYE as the DWP, they would be in deep trouble.
HMRC, despite what peple think, is not all-seeing and all-knowing. It can only go on information provided to it by the DWP and employers. If they fail to keep the chain going properly by failing to carry out quite simple requirements, then its only the poor taxpayer who has to sort out the mess.
That was Fen's rant for the year.

HMRC think I'm claiming JSA

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