Tax Demands

bloss

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to use but I wonder if someone could please give me some advice...

A few years back I discovered that I was on the wrong tax code thanks to this site. I contacted HMRC and they duly refunded me my overpaid tac that had accrued over 4 or 5 years.

I've just received a letter advising me that I owe a not inconsiderable amount of this back. What I'd like to know is:

a) Am I liable for someone else's error?
b) I'm now a student. How do I stand?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mikeyorks

bloss wrote: »

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Impossible to give without a lot more detail. Are the underpayments for the same year as the previous overpayments / what new info has come to light to change it etc?

I'm afraid being a student doesn't enter into it.

Flex2k

I have just had the same experience and was looking to post this question. I contacted the tax office and they said that I had two employments, one is my present and previously I was a temp with various agencies and I also have a pension from when I was retired on grounds of ill health. The tax said that I should have informed them of the two incomes and to change my code but I argued that I had informed both employers that I had another form of income which I did. The tax have said I need to put the details in writing as it maybe the previous employers liability as they did not adjust my code accordingly. May be worth writing to the tax giving them your details. I feel that I am innocent party in all of this as I have always paid my tax and now have a massive bill to pay back.:(

bloss

same here. i feel i'm paying for their error that led to their error. the year of the 'overpayment' was for one of the years that i was refunded, yes. a friend has apparently had the same problem, wrote to them and hasn't heard back in 6 months. surely, ethically and morally and maybe legally i can't be asked to pay for their error. they were taking too much tax, they calculated the refund and paid it. now they allege that they have made a mistake they want me to pay some of it back...

Mikeyorks

bloss wrote: »

now they allege that they have made a mistake

Does their letter actually say that? If so then 'official error' may be possible - but their letter should reference it?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rmmanual/RM5152.htm

bloss

it doesn't say that no but then i guess it wouldn't... i shall however use this in my letter to them.

thanks alot and Flex2K - good luck :-)

Flex2k

Just a note the tax office said that the waiting time to look at mail is presently 10th December so it may be sometime before you get a response. Good luck to you also:)

sinizterguy

Right. If they made a mistake and took too much tax, you want all of it back, but if they made a mistake gave you too much tax back, you can't be bothered to pay for someone else's mistake.

Have I got it right ?