Free tax advice available for those on a low income

Former_MSE_Wendy · 22 December 2008 at 8:53PM

Updated 26 Jan 09

What this is all about?

It's important to do your return on time or you will be fined £100. Plus if you're on a low income and stuggling to do a return there are ways to get free help - although it's probably too late to get free help for this year's return.

What are the key dates?

The deadline to file your claim for 2007-8 returns for the year ending 5 April is 31 Jan 2009. If you miss this deadline you'll be fined £100.

Those that wanted to submit a paper from, the date for this has now passed. For the first time the deadline for paper forms was bought forward to the 31 October. However filing online is the best bet anyway as you get an immediate acknowledgement.

See full details of KeyTax Dates

* If you miss the relevant deadline you'll be charged an automatic £100 penalty. *

Not applied yet - you'll need a PIN

To be able to submit an online claim you need to register on the HRMC website. Yet before you can fill in your return an activation code needs to be posted to you. This can take up to 7 days, which means you could now miss the 31 Jan deadline.

Yet HMRC has said, if you register before 31 Jan and are waiting for an activation code:

"HMRC will consider an appeal against any penalty through its ‘reasonable excuse’ process (MSE NOTE Excuse examples). When making the appeal, just explain when you registered and when you received the Activation PIN. Every claim to reasonable excuse is treated on its merits, but you need to file your return as soon as you get the PIN."

If this applies to you, consider paying what you think you owe before the deadline and file your return as soon as you get the activation code for a chance to escape the fine. If you get a penalty notice in February you'll need to submit a 'reasonable excuse' appeal. In the meantime collect all of your papers together so you are ready to go.

Who needs to do a return?

Don't automatically think you need to do a return...

If you've not been sent a self-assessment form, pay tax through the payroll, and don't have any other complicated finances you don't need to do one.

So this only really hits those who are self-employed. If you're in any doubt call your local tax office to check.

Which organisations offer free help?

TaxAid: A charity that provides free advice on your rights and responsibilities under the UK tax system and can help with any aspect of tax, not just your self assessment. Help is available for anyone on a low income - whether employed, self-employed, retired or on benefits - who cannot afford to pay for professional advice. Link: TaxAid

TaxHelp for Older People (TOP): An independent free tax advice service for anyone over pension age with taxable household income of less than £15k. It has around 550 volunteers able to provide free home visits in many locations, otherwise by telephone or post. Link: TOP

Citizens Advice Bureau: Most advisers can help with basic tax queries but may also be able to help find a local tax adviser. Link: Citizens Advice or visit your local bureau (find nearest)

HM Revenue & Customs: The tax office is able to help with tax queries at its enquiry centres or by phone on 0161 931 9070. Link: HMRC

There are also FREE tax workshops around the country for employers (inc. 'Paying your employees' and 'Paying expenses and giving benefits to your employees') and the self employed ('Becoming self employed' and 'Self assessment for self employed people'). Thanks to MoneySaver chapperz on a previous discussion for the top spot. Link: HMRC Workshops

Low Incomes Tax Reform Group: A service by the Chartered Institute of Taxation to provide general guidance on tax and related benefits for those who want to do their own tax affairs. Link: LITRG

Related Articles: Taxing Times1, Taxing Times2, Taxing Times3, Taxing Times4, Taxing Times5, Taxing Times6.

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svlpacker · 23 December 2008 at 3:24PM

Anyone over 60 with a income of less that £15,000 p.a. can get help with any tax problem from a tax professional from TaxHelp for Olderpeople at http://www.taxvol.org.uk/ tel: 0845 601 3321 or 01308 488066

If travelling's a problem, then home visits can be arranged.
:T

dishydave · 21 January 2009 at 1:22PM

here's a little problem i have.Last July (2008) i registered as a self employed dj as i got on the books of an agent who started to get me some good work unfortunately since October everything is going rapidly down hill a lot of the hotels and clubs that promised work have had a massive turn-down in bookings and cancellations, this year is set to be very bleak my agent s books are almost empty and id get more money on the dole than being registered self employed ,As i have only been s/e for a little over 6 months and struggling to survive never mind pay the bills can i just ring the tax office and tell them it was a bad idea ect and go get a paye without beening in breech of any laws .

deanlr55 · 21 January 2009 at 1:42PM

dishydave wrote: »

here's a little problem i have.Last July (2008) i registered as a self employed dj as i got on the books of an agent who started to get me some good work unfortunately since October everything is going rapidly down hill a lot of the hotels and clubs that promised work have had a massive turn-down in bookings and cancellations, this year is set to be very bleak my agent s books are almost empty and id get more money on the dole than being registered self employed ,As i have only been s/e for a little over 6 months and struggling to survive never mind pay the bills can i just ring the tax office and tell them it was a bad idea ect and go get a paye without beening in breech of any laws .

I am in a similar boat, plus I have forgot all my log in details. What should i do?

Mary_Hartnell · 21 January 2009 at 3:15PM

Due to illness, an elderly relative has missed the date for a manual return.
I've "volunteered" to do what he is no longer capable to doing over the on-line system.
The password should be arriving this week.

I have got all the documents ready (I think;)).

Just one simple question about the state pension:
At the start of the tax year each pensioner seems to get a statement of their weekly entitlement, which in this case is pretty complex and comes to 140 quid a week.
This sum is paid gross, that is with no tax taken off.
Do I need to worry if 07/08 was a 52 or 53 week year?
If I do need to worry, where do I find out or does the on-line system know automatically?

proudgranof2 · 21 January 2009 at 8:49PM

dishydave wrote: »

here's a little problem i have.Last July (2008) i registered as a self employed dj as i got on the books of an agent who started to get me some good work unfortunately since October everything is going rapidly down hill a lot of the hotels and clubs that promised work have had a massive turn-down in bookings and cancellations, this year is set to be very bleak my agent s books are almost empty and id get more money on the dole than being registered self employed ,As i have only been s/e for a little over 6 months and struggling to survive never mind pay the bills can i just ring the tax office and tell them it was a bad idea ect and go get a paye without beening in breech of any laws .

Hi I work in the tax office so will do what I can to advise, there is nothing to stop you having a PAYE job and been self employed, lots of people do it. Once you have registered as self employed though you will have to fill in a self assessment return, in your case between April 09 and Jan 10. Afraid there is no way out of it. If you decide you don't want to carry on being s/e then you can just put the info on the return when you send it in or just give your tax office a ring. If there is anything else you need to know just shout :rotfl:

cosyc · 21 January 2009 at 10:19PM

deanlr55 wrote: »

I am in a similar boat, plus I have forgot all my log in details. What should i do?

go to home page and click i have forgotton log in details

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/login?GAREASONCODE=-1&GARESOURCEID=Common&GAURI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home&Reason=-1&APPID=Common&URI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home

cosyc · 21 January 2009 at 10:21PM

Mary_Hartnell wrote: »

Due to illness, an elderly relative has missed the date for a manual return.
I've "volunteered" to do what he is no longer capable to doing over the on-line system.
The password should be arriving this week.

I have got all the documents ready (I think;)).

Just one simple question about the state pension:
At the start of the tax year each pensioner seems to get a statement of their weekly entitlement, which in this case is pretty complex and comes to 140 quid a week.
This sum is paid gross, that is with no tax taken off.
Do I need to worry if 07/08 was a 52 or 53 week year?
If I do need to worry, where do I find out or does the on-line system know automatically?

Income is any thing recieved between 6 4 07 and 5 4 08.

so check bank statements etc

vermas · 21 January 2009 at 11:49PM

i was not sent a tax return this year does this mean I dont need to do one- i have moved address but they now have my new address anyway as they had to give me a refund on a previous tax return- i am not self employed but had a buy to let property in the past so I had to fill this out

should i call and ask- they will probably insist i do one or stay quiet and when and if they ask for one i say i was never sent one

gazhus · 22 January 2009 at 12:44AM

vermas wrote: »

i was not sent a tax return this year does this mean I dont need to do one- i have moved address but they now have my new address anyway as they had to give me a refund on a previous tax return- i am not self employed but had a buy to let property in the past so I had to fill this out

should i call and ask- they will probably insist i do one or stay quiet and when and if they ask for one i say i was never sent one

Unfortunately it does not work like that.If they post a tax return by law you have to return it. Best thing to do is ring them and get a duplicate return sent out or register online and complete as deadline has passed for paper return.

flippingheckerslike · 22 January 2009 at 1:08AM

Hi
I am unsure whether I need to fill in a self assessment tax form, and would appreciate any help.

I stopped working over a year and a half ago to become a mature student. I started my course full time and then reduced this to part-time in the second year. Do I need to fill in a tax self assessment form? Won't the Tax Office question why someone who paid tax up till a year and a half ago sufddently stopped?

I'm confused! Any help very appreciated!

Free tax advice available for those on a low income

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