Tax relief for business mileage

richardwhite

Hi, hope someone can help.

I posted a P87 form to the tax office in the middle of June with regards to claiming tax relief for business mileage april 08-april 09.
The reason I posted it so late was I didnt even realise I could claim this until a colleague enlightened me.

Any way, the reason im posting is to ask if anyone knows what sort of time frame I should allow for a reply from them. I know a new computer system has recently been installed for PAYE and caused a bit of a back log so I tried phoning the office over the past 2 or 3 weeks to check they received it ok but all I get is either an automated response telling me to phone back later or left on hold for ages, in fact so long the music stopped playing.

The tax office in question is west lanc & west cheshire if that helps.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, Richard.

richardwhite

Anyone lol???

trevormax

I think it's difficult to say at the moment. Each tax office seems to be different from the next. For instance, I sent off a form for my mother mid May time and it was all done and dusted in about 8 weeks. However, some people seem to be waiting for 3, 4 or 5 months for theirs.

Not a very helpful post I know lol

mrcow

Ours only ever seems to take a couple of weeks.

It will all depend on the office in question. My tip is to call when they open on the dot (generally 8am) as you won't often be put in a queue.

richardwhite

To be honest i don't mind waiting for it, they are obviously busy. It's more the fact that I can't get an advisor on the phone to confirm they have received it and are processing it. If I knew they had it I could relax in the knowledge that the ball is rolling so to speak. As it stands at the minute I know nothing and it would be a royal pain in the behind to find out they haven't received it after 2 months of waiting for a reply!

maple41

Similar. Sent off the claim in early May, quick response from tax office requesting further info. sent by return. Now nothing. Suppose they have met their target of response turn around now taking their time when it invloves paying money back.

richardwhite

Update.....

I phoned today at exactly 8am as mrcow recommended. Low and behold I got through straight away! I was gobsmacked. Anyway, they said they received it on their system on 4th July and it had been passed to someone or other who was dealing with it and will be in touch in due course. Im just glad to know they have it.

One more question...do they pay you by cheque or will it be worked through my tax code for the year?

wr1ght

sent mine in march heard nothing yet but my cheque for laundering uniform took 5 months

mrcow

If it's an overpayment, it's usually by cheque.

TM1976

Generally they prefer to change your tax code in my experience (I think this is easier for them than raising a cheque).

The form doesn't allow you to request a method of payment, if you want a cheque the best you can do is to include a covering letter asking for a cheque.

If they say they are going to change your tax code you can still phone up and request a cheque instead.

richardwhite

Id much rather have the cheque to be honest. I was made redundant a month ago so changing my tax code wouldn't be of much benefit to me really. The 2 people I know that make claim tax relief get a cheque each year so hopefully I will too.