My partner owes tax but is unemployed and not claiming benefits?!

beths489

Hi,
Can anyone offer some advice. My partner has had a letter from the DWP saying he owes money however he has not been working for the last three years and has not been claiming benefits. We have been living off one income and have not claimed benefits from the government as we have not needed to. How can he now owe money to the tax man when he has had no income for three years and is still not working or claiming?
Any help appreciated

PlutoinCapricorn

The first thing to do is ask for an explanation and full details: HMRC and DWP usually provide information about why they think someone owes tax.

Certainly don't pay them anything unless and until you agree that the money is actually owed and how this happened.

This is the time of year when HMRC and DWP may do some tidying up: they may have gone back several years.

PazDeLaHuertaFan

I'd be interested to hear more on this.

My OH owes tax and is unemployed, I'm currently(struggling)paying the bill.

PlutoinCapricorn

Once again, if you suddenly get a demand from HMRC or DWP, it is important to get full details of which tax year(s) this applies to and their explanation before paying them anything. Both of these organisations can make mistakes and unfortunately on the other hand some people have been paying less tax/claiming more benefits than they should.

As I said, they may have brought some records together at the end of the tax year and have found something from many years ago.

Citizens Advice may be able to help.

Mikeyorks

beths489 wrote: »

Hi,
Can anyone offer some advice. My partner has had a letter from the DWP saying he owes money

Class 2 NI - because he's registered self employed? Contact them if his income is below the lower limit :

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/working/intro/class2.htm#5

Xutl

The DWP wouldn't issue a tax demand. Where has the letter come from and what exactly does it say?