Different number for vat

mikeopvc

Anyone know of a different number I can call for the VAT
I need to set up a payment plan to pay my VAT as the latest quarter is higher than expected.

My accountant gave me a number but it's hopeless, I tried all afternoon to get through and when I eventually did get through to someone he said, "I can't authorise that so I'll put you through to someone who can" I found myself on hold again only to eventually get a recorded voice saying "sorry we are very busy please try again" and I was then cut off:mad:
It's an 0845 number so It must cost a fair bit to keep on calling only to be cut off, it's so annoying.

If anyone has any other number I would be most grateful

thanks

pastmybest

0845 010 9000

8.00 am to 8.00 pm

This is the Vat helpline number I called about something yesterday. I did have to wait 6/7 minutes though but as always the chap was very helpful.

cottager

Is it the Business Payment Support Service you're trying, the scheme introduced in Nov 2008 to help small businesses? Details at
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/business-payment.htm
and the number is 0845 302 1435, 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat/Sun,
but you must speak to them before the due date, as I believe you can't arrange instalments after the due date's passed... not on this scheme anyway.

We took advantage of this a year ago, but to spread out OH's January income tax payment, not for VAT which we managed to keep up with... but payments of VAT are included in the scheme.

We weren't too confident about speaking to them ourselves as we didn't know what would be involved, so our accountant made the call, on a Sunday. She reported it was very simple and straightforward, and only took a few minutes of her time.

With this in mind, when July's tax payment came along and cashflow was little better than 6 months before, we thought we could ask to do the same again. We didn't realise that for a 'repeat' they'd want to look at us in more depth -- this is explained on the page linked above, but we'd overlooked it. So we left it, drew out some savings, and paid it off in full.

However later on in the year when we visited our accountant and I mentioned this, she said we should have asked her to do it again as they can have more luck than us asking ourselves.

I only mention this in case you feel the call may be better from your accountant. But... if this is the same number you've been trying, they'll have the same problem getting through; and they'll also probably be snowed under themselves. I know our accountant's always rushed off her feet in January, rounding up straggler clients who still haven't given her all info required for their SA tax returns.

Good luck.

JasonLVC

Yep, use the special Business Payment Support Service Hotline.

It's very simple, they are there to help you (honest!).

Tell them what your VAT liability is and then suggest a payment plan to them - eg, suggest you pay it over three months if small or 6 months if a larger amount and they should agree with you on the spot. If you get agreement, do not miss any payments!.

If you find yourself in the same position next quarter, ring them up again and ask again, they may want more information this time, but if you are struggling, then you are struggling.

Have you considered the Cash Accounting scheme for VAT provided your business as tover of less than £1.35m then this may help as you only pay over the VAT when your customer has paid you - customer doesn't pay, HMRC don't get paid.

You don't need permission, you can switch at any time (but best to do at start of a qtr and you need to make sure you don't double count invoices). But t could save you a fortune if you raise invoices. It's no good for a retailer/e-tailer.

mikeopvc

Thanks all for your advice, I ended up calling 0845 302 1435 and got through to a very helpful lady.
We arranged a 3 monthly payment plan by direct debit and she didn't delve too deeply as to why I couldn't afford it, I just explained there was a backlog of sales invoices which had finally made it to the accountants.

Hopefully I will manage things better in the future as last year was quite a tough one in which I learnt a lot, I'm making cutbacks now where possible and hope to get on top of my finances, I never realised just how stressfull being self employed could be.

JasonLVC

Excellent news!. For once, the Government have actually got a really good service here for small businesses.

It's the only glimmer of course, but it all helps.

cottager

mikeopvc wrote: »

Hopefully I will manage things better in the future as last year was quite a tough one in which I learnt a lot, I'm making cutbacks now where possible and hope to get on top of my finances, I never realised just how stressfull being self employed could be.

I know where you're coming from! OH has been in trade for 40 yrs (sole trader + one employee) and we've known some tough times before, but nothing as bad as the past 12-18 months, and the last 3 in particular. Trying to keep all the balls in the air isn't easy and we're 'juggling' too. It sounds like you might not have been in business too long? -- in this financial climate you must have had something of a baptism of fire, and wondered what you'd got into! There is a lot to learn and you're right, it can be stressful, but you sound determined, so good luck to you: hope it all works out well

JasonLVC wrote: »

Excellent news!. For once, the Government have actually got a really good service here for small businesses. It's the only glimmer of course, but it all helps.

Agreed: a really excellent scheme, certainly a lifesaver for us this time last year. It's just unfortunate the criteria tighten up when the facility's been used once, as I think many would be wary of being 'looked at' more closely for fear of more strife when things are already worrying enough. With the way things are it's highly likely help with just one liability may not be enough. However I do see why it's necessary: not unreasonable for HMRC to want to check a business is still viable; and I guess another possibility is the scheme could be abused/taken advantage of by some who in fact would have no difficulty paying up-front but just want to spin it out as long as they can.

moneypooh

JasonLVC wrote: »

Have you considered the Cash Accounting scheme for VAT provided your business as tover of less than £1.35m then this may help as you only pay over the VAT when your customer has paid you - customer doesn't pay, HMRC don't get paid.

You don't need permission, you can switch at any time (but best to do at start of a qtr and you need to make sure you don't double count invoices). But t could save you a fortune if you raise invoices. It's no good for a retailer/e-tailer.

If you raise invoices that takes ages to get paid this is bar far the best option (if turnover as stated). Some of our invoices would be a nightmare if we had to pay them at a set time and could cause terrible cashflow situations. We put the VAT aside when the invoice is paid and it's there when we need it. We actually use a savings account - I know laughable at the moment with interest rates but still get a few quid out of it.

Glad to see things have been made easier for you

mikeopvc

I have just opened two letters from HMRC

The first is yellow and is a surcharge liability notice

The second is RED and is a demand notice for immediate payment

I rang up about the high VAT return and sorted out a 3 month payment plan and set up a direct debit, The first payment has been taken out of my bank so how come I'm getting these letters, I'm a bit worried.

I tried calling the number on the red letter 0845 302 0136 but it's constantly busy, are these letters from a different department to which I made the payment plan?

cottager

I can understand the anxiety. But can't help too much I'm afraid, as our arrangement last year was for income tax, not VAT, and there was never a problem with it.

Hopefully this is no more than a case of the left hand not knowing what the right's doing, but you need to keep trying that number in the letter, because if this is the situation they'll keep chasing.

Where's the letter from? -- is it your local VAT Office or the Central Unit?

Just been looking here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/managing/payments/problems.htm
and they're definitely plugging the Business Payment Support Service in cases of difficulty (see sub-para 'How we can help you'), so there should be liaison between them.

It's been about 3 weeks since you set up the arrangement, which seems a reasonable time for news of it to have filtered through to whichever VAT section/office is now writing to you, but perhaps it isn't in HMRC-World. But then surely a note of it would be on a central system they can all see? -- particularly as you say one payment's already been taken.

The actual return was filed online or sent in on time, was it?

So sorry, maybe someone else can be more helpful.
I can only suggest you keep plugging away with that number on the letter as they're clearly the people you really need to speak to, but they might only be there during normal daytime hours (does it say?).

If you can't get through I think I'd additionally ring the normal VAT Helpline... they may not be able to help specifically but hopefully could advise, and at least a note of your call should be registered on the system (ask if it will be) which is a start:
0845 010 9000, 8am-8pm Mon-Fri
so still a couple of hours or so to try the Helpline tonight.

Good luck...

mikeopvc

Thanks, I was trying the 3 numbers below until 8 p.m. last night and had no joy. So frustrating when they send you a threatening letter covered with red text telling you to contact them immediately but then you can't get through.

0845 010 9000 - number on the yellow letter, surcharge liability notice.

0845 302 0136 - number on the red letter, demand notice for immediate payment

0845 302 1435 - number for the business payment support service

I really do hope it's a lack of communication causing these letters as I can't afford to pay the balance right now,(whole purpose of the 3 month plan).

I'll just have to try on Monday and hope I get through:o