To be investigated for tax credit fraud

sophie563

I know will have no sympathy but any help would be apreciated

we have been claiming tax credits for past 4 years which we were not entitled to when my husband was out of work we had debts of £50k plus and when my husband found work again we did not advise tax credits and have been claiming ever since

we recieved a letter Saturday saying they want bank statements for past 2 years we know we have been paid about £30k

We have sent a fax admitting to the above and will help 100% The question is will they take this to court as we have admitted to overpayments or will they ask us to repay out of our wages

we know we have done wrong and do not need to be told but. Any advice would help
Reading the Hmrc website says honesty will pay

DUTR

If it is a crime then you may be punished as the law permits.

sophie563

Thank you for not judging us it was to pay for debt collectors

we are not after sympathy but just asking does anyone know if they sti want to take it to court if we have admitted to everything and offered to pay £700 savings and £300 per month everything we have left

However it will clear £30,000 for years

if they tak us to court and go to prisson they will not get anything

generaloneill

As long as this is your first offence and you dont contest the charges you will not go to jail, but be prepared to pay through the ear for it.

They will leave you with what the law says you need to live on, so nows the time to cancel all your luxuries. Sky, broadband mobile phones, food and drink, etc.

My mums in the same boat, and I have no sympathy for her. She knew what she was doing, and so did you. Your life I suppose, no ones business.

sophie563

Thank you for your reply we sent over by fax our income and outgoing forms I offered to pay all our 700 saving now my husband is due a bonus in April I told that we have now told them everything

Does anyone feel they will still want to take this to court and will they freeze our bank account

Welshwoofs

I'd say it's really difficult to say what they'll do to you. Personally I doubt they'll take you to court if you've fully admitted to what you've done, but I'm sure they'll probably want every spare penny after your basic mortgage/utility/food bills have been taken care of.

I think in your position I'd be looking to do whatever possible to get it paid back in the shortest time - both of your taking 2nd jobs in the evening would considerably speed up the process. £30k is a lot of money to defraud and unfortunately no matter which way you cut it, the next few years are likely to be worse than if you'd just dealt with the debt collectors in the first place.

sophie563

thank you for your reply

i know a lot of people will think its our fault and it is

however i want to pay this back and quickly does anyone know if they can freeze my bank or should i take money out of my account to live on

i have admitted to this debt now does anyone know will they still want to take this to court if i have now come clean

DUTR

sophie563 wrote: »

thank you for your reply

i know a lot of people will think its our fault and it is

however i want to pay this back and quickly does anyone know if they can freeze my bank or should i take money out of my account to live on

i have admitted to this debt now does anyone know will they still want to take this to court if i have now come clean

I know in the past an ex aquaintance had claimed for what she should not, she had to pay it back, it was a much lower amount than what you claimed, she had ccjs but I don't know if that was related, only time can predict if you will have to attend court, if the house is mortgaged I suppose they could put a charge order on the property, all you can do is wait and see

chesky369

If you were overpaid £30,000 why did you not use this to pay off the £20,000 you stopped paying 4 years ago, as mentioned in the debt thread.

roy62

sophie563 wrote: »

thank you for your reply

i know a lot of people will think its our fault and it is

however i want to pay this back and quickly does anyone know if they can freeze my bank or should i take money out of my account to live on

i have admitted to this debt now does anyone know will they still want to take this to court if i have now come clean

Not understanding the tax credit system is not a crime. Only admit to making a mistake and pay back the minimum they accept.

dmg24

roy62 wrote: »

Not understanding the tax credit system is not a crime. Only admit to making a mistake and pay back the minimum they accept.

Taking the above advice would be one way of guaranteeing you end up in court! :rolleyes:

OP, no one can say that this will not be prosecuted, I have seen cases of a third of this amount go to court. Also going to prison (if it came to that) would not cancel the debt - any sentence would be in addition to your repayment plan.

This is very serious. You need legal advice.