Income tax helpline - strange experience

serious_saver

Well it's Wednesday and still no phone call. I can't say that I'm surprised really

jimjames

serious_saver wrote: »

Well it's Wednesday and still no phone call. I can't say that I'm surprised really

Maybe it was blocked by MI5 when they were doing a check on money laundering by Mexican drugs barons. Well you did say you wanted wild theories as well!!

serious_saver

Well the saga goes on!

After eventually getting through to someone who could deal with my query (turns out they are based about 5 minutes from my office!) I was told I was entitled to a rebate which would be calculated at the end of the tax year. Sounds good so far right? I then received a letter telling me that I was getting rebate for over £300 more than the total tax I paid in a previous year. That can't be right can it? LOL

I think I'm going to have to spend some time on the phone again otherwise I'll probably end up with HMRC knocking on my door in a few months time asking for their money back!

serious_saver

jimjames wrote: »

Maybe it was blocked by MI5 when they were doing a check on money laundering by Mexican drugs barons. Well you did say you wanted wild theories as well!!

Oh no!!!!! You have discovered my true identity! :eek:

Mikeyorks

serious_saver wrote: »

I then received a letter telling me that I was getting rebate for over £300 more than the total tax I paid in a previous year. That can't be right can it?

Sounds a bit implausible.

You sound too sensible to miss the fact that the P800 letters being issued are for 08-09 and 09-10 ....... and the net effect of the 2 years is summarised on the 09-10 P800 ?? So - if both years overpaid - you do get the combined overpayment at the bottom of 09-10?

Not that I trust?

serious_saver

Mikeyorks wrote: »

Sounds a bit implausible.

You sound too sensible to miss the fact that the P800 letters being issued are for 08-09 and 09-10 ....... and the net effect of the 2 years is summarised on the 09-10 P800 ?? So - if both years overpaid - you do get the combined overpayment at the bottom of 09-10?

Not that I trust?

I think it might be simple human error. I've had letters for both 08-09 and 09-10. I'm not the greatest when it comes to maths but even I can see that the two figures don't add up to the figure listed on the second letter. I'm going to make them aware of it just to be on the safe side, I think!

Although you've given some very good advice that I think a lot of people wouldn't consider

Of course, I'm not certain whether they would have looked at 07-08. I haven't had a letter but if they have looked into that year it could make sense. In which case, I'm quids in :beer:

Mikeyorks

serious_saver wrote: »

Of course, I'm not certain whether they would have looked at 07-08.

No. The new system is initially set up just to do the comparisons for 08-09 and 09-10.

It's a bit odd if the computation arithmetic doesn't add up ..... as it's got no sticky human fingers in it at that point!

A word in the HMRC ear might be sensible ...... you may still be well in pocket!

serious_saver

Well I phoned them up yesterday and the gist of what I was told was that their system was great so there can't be a mistake (lol) and that they wouldn't be able to follow up on any money because I gave them all the info AND "if" a mistake existed HMRC would be liable for the cost and not me

Even better! A cheque for just over £1400 arrived in the post this morning! I'm feeling VERY happy today!

Mikeyorks

Well even Scrooge saw the light!

But I still can't see HMRC in that sort of benevolent role. Spoils everyone's preconceptions.

serious_saver

Mikeyorks wrote: »

Well even Scrooge saw the light!

But I still can't see HMRC in that sort of benevolent role. Spoils everyone's preconceptions.

I know!!!!

I'm a little surprised that the cheque arrived so fast. I was told it could take weeks and I know people who have waited months to get a rebate. I think I may have woken up in a parallel universe :rotfl: