Utterly stumped by a tax refund P50, any help?

alex98uk

I'm really confused as to what the P50 is asking me. I stopped work on the 26th November 2010 after 4 months, during which I was charged the emergency tax code (BR0?).

I want to claim it back and was told by a helpful HMRC guy to use a P50. On page 2, it says:

Fill this form in if:

You are not claiming one of the taxable benefits listed below (I'm not claiming anything)

You have been unemployed for four weeks, or you have retired permanently, or you do not expect to claim one of the taxable benefits listed below, or go back to work before the start of the new tax year (I am not claiming anything and whilst I am actively seeking employment and would love to work within the next 4 weeks, chances are I wont have a job)

So, I assume I fill in this form since I fit those categories. However, the form says "Your earnings since leaving the employer named in the declaration"... Well, I haven't earned anything. I've lived off savings. It says I have to select "Part-Time", "Casual" or "Self-Employed". I'm none of those, I just haven't worked? It then asks me for all my earnings.

What the hell do I put in these fields as I haven't worked or earned a penny since leaving my last employer. Tax doesn't have to be taxing, so why in Gods name do they make it so? I waited in line on the phone to HMRC for 45mins this morning and do not feel like ringing again...

Mikeyorks

The P50 is only appropriate if you're unlikely to be working again within 4 weeks?

From the info you've given :

Box 1 - tick No
Box 2 - tick No
Box 3 - tick Yes
Box 4 - tick No (if likely to be unemployed for more than an extra 4 weeks?)
Box 5 - tick Yes (if unlikely to be employed prior 5th April)
Box 6 - tick No

Just write 'Nil' in the value boxes for earnings above the Declaration signature. On the tick boxes on the right hand side - you should be ticking the 2nd box and possibly the 5th?

Send it in with the P45(2) & (3).

alex98uk

Yup, that's exactly what I had down

Some of the language they use is really quite confusing. deleted

no-oneknowsme

alex98uk wrote: »

Yup, that's exactly what I had down

Some of the language they use is really quite confusing. I'm a University graduate who finds it hard to follow, so God help those single mothers with no GCSE's

Charming ! Do you think that just because people are single mums they are thick or something ?

jamieamelia

alex98uk wrote: »

Yup, that's exactly what I had down

Some of the language they use is really quite confusing. I'm a University graduate who finds it hard to follow, so God help those single mothers with no GCSE's [/QUOTE


some people are so rude, that comment could really upset somebody... and no i am not a single mother with no gcse's but that comment has really raged me!! u come on here asking for help and then include a massive put down!!!!!!!
:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

System

For some strange reason HMRC redesigned the P50 and now it is full of double negatives and is really confusing to try and complete.

Mikeyorks

Pam17 wrote: »

For some strange reason HMRC redesigned the P50 and now it is full of double negatives and is really confusing to try and complete.

Agreed. Last time I looked it was fairly straightforward. Not now the case.

no-oneknowsme

jamieamelia wrote: »

alex98uk wrote: »

Yup, that's exactly what I had down

Some of the language they use is really quite confusing. I'm a University graduate who finds it hard to follow, so God help those single mothers with no GCSE's [/QUOTE


some people are so rude, that comment could really upset somebody... and no i am not a single mother with no gcse's but that comment has really raged me!! u come on here asking for help and then include a massive put down!!!!!!!
:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Me too Jamieamelia:mad: and no , i am also not a single mother !

alex98uk

Sorry guys (& girls!) didn't mean to offend. I just meant that I can't see how anyone finds tax straight forward.

Sorry if my comments caused any offence, I did not mean it that way My apologies!

John_Pierpoint

There are a good few tax payers (octogenarian pensioners for example) who have one devil of a job filling in any tax forms.
There is also another group of 16+ who are taught nothing about the joys of the world's most complex tax system, who have trouble adjusting to the reality of working for a living.
Most people who get a form designed for the convenience of the bureaucrats have to turn to someone else and ask: What are they trying to get at here - The P50 form that requires soothsayer abilities is a good example.

Me thinks the single mother lobby is being over sensitive.

Personally I think I would consult a single parent; as anyone with tax & financial affairs out of the normal, gets clobbered with lots of "fud" forms.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt