MSE News: Postal strike warning for tax returns

John_Pierpoint

With the fine comes an appeal form.

Last year I agreed with my office that I would complete a return on line, so at Xmas I set in chain the process of using the on-line system and sat there waiting for my magic access number.
What I actually got was a standardised two page email with about a dozen reasons why I could not be granted access - none of which really fitted my situation.
Rather than try to argue the toss I sent in the paper version instead.

I have a feeling it was something to do with changing address at the same time as trying to submit a tax return, but I'm still not sure. (I think HMRC did not like dealing with a tax payer "in the cloud").

Yes I eventually did get back the 100 GBP but had to pay a small amount in interest on the small amount of unpaid tax.

MrCarrot

As people have mentioned, you can take the tax return into your local tax office and it will be forwarded on where nesseccary.

In fact, I regularly make an annual tax payment by cheque, and I drop it off at my local tax office on the day that the payment is due. I've never been penalised or charged interest on the time the cheque takes to clear.

System

Ste_C wrote: »

He should have insisted.

In future, print out your own receipt and then get them to stamp it.

Knowing how HMRC's postal system works I'd say you would have been better sending it using special delivery - which is still guaranteed to be delivered during the strike. Bit late for that now though.

Current guidance within the HMRC Customer Contact Directorate is that on no account is a receipt to be given for anything handed in at an enquiry centre. I don't necessarily agree with this but in our centre, which is a large one, at deadline dates for filing returns whether self assessment, employers annual returns, tax credit annual renewals etc we don't have the time to stand and issue receipts especially when some accountants deliver them by the box load. We always recommend that customers send forms by recorded delivery.

John_Pierpoint

"Customers"?

lizzy27_2

I paid special delivery on monday so my tax return would get there as strike not until thurs. Upon checking delivery confirmation it hasn't been received, infact it states it has been re directed but no one can tell me where. If you have sent a paper return can you still do it online to stop £100 OR CAN I CLAIM IT FROMTHE POST OFFICE the lady at the post office didn't seem to know