Sel-assessment fine:HMRC's fault?! Grateful for any advice

missrieen

Hi all,

I am a first time user though often browse the boards. I really hope someone can help because I am not sure what else to do! Am currently at my wits end - my OH has been trying to fill in his self-assessment tax return online this evening. He has a gateway ID, UTR etc and entered all his details as he did last time but it keeps saying they can't find him. He called up, got put on hold for about 20 mins, spoke to someone who told him to call another number. This was repeated and when he finally got through was told they'd send him a new password but it wouldn't come until tuesday. He pointed out this was after the submission date and asked about the fine, and got told that he would incur a fine despite the fact it's their system.

Any advice on what to do???

Thanks in advance for any replies!

System

The online services can give your husband half of a new password over the phone and send the other half to him to his email address if he gave an email address when he originally registered for online filing.

Also when he gets to the screen where it asks for his UTR it also asks for either his National Insurance number or his post code. Tell him to try 1 the first time and if that doesn't work them the other the next time.

fengirl_2

Or he could pay his tax by 31 Jan and avoid a fine.

missrieen

Thanks for replying!

They can't send him one to his e-mail because it won't register him on the system.

He has tried all of that and been through all possible combinations with the woman on the phone but still no joy.

suso

estimate the amount of tax due and pay it by the 31st.

If all the tax has been paid by the deadline there is no penalty, even if the return is late

If you want to post your OH's earnings then I'm sure someone will help estimate the tax.

missrieen

fengirl wrote: »

Or he could pay his tax by 31 Jan and avoid a fine.

Thanks for replying!
He doesn't know how much (if any) he owes, which is why he needs to get online to work it out. He didn't earn much and had set-up costs etc and is no longer self-employed, so can't work it out.

Little_Chicken

The £100 fine is not automatic as far as I know so you might get away with it....

nikki2804

Pam17 wrote: »

The online services can give your husband half of a new password over the phone and send the other half to him to his email address if he gave an email address when he originally registered for online filing.

Also when he gets to the screen where it asks for his UTR it also asks for either his National Insurance number or his post code. Tell him to try 1 the first time and if that doesn't work them the other the next time.

No they cant! Online Services do not have any access to password details. They can't even see your User ID. They can see failed/successful log ins.

If they request a password/user ID for you then this will be by post which can take up to 7 days to arrive.

Only the taxpayer can request these detail by email (as long as the correct email is on the system!)

Fine wise, if you get a fine then you have the right to appeal it. It is at the tax office's discretion if it is removed or not.

elliot1990

Unfortunatley It may be their system but they are within their rights to charge a penaly as your OH has had since April 09 to file return. Lastminute.com

missrieen

Thanks for everyone's input: he has managed to get his password by accessing the site through my laptop instead. So no idea what was going on but glad it can now be sorted! And yes, it was last minute but in that time he has changed from being employed to self-employed plus other things going on, and although it may be last minute he did still have a week. Sorted now though!

Thanks everyone.