Can you trust Tax Credits to get it right?

Katymac_2

Oh I won't be trusting the TCO and I'm possibly at the point at which I need to pay for advise. We are talking about thousands of pounds and it seems foolish to trust the TCO with something so life changing.

Icequeen99

Katymac wrote: »

Oh I won't be trusting the TCO and I'm possibly at the point at which I need to pay for advise. We are talking about thousands of pounds and it seems foolish to trust the TCO with something so life changing.

I think you will struggle to find paid advice. There are not many people out there who understand tax credits. In my experience, solicitors often cover welfare rights and other benefits but not have as much experience dealing with tax credits and the bills could rack up. I would exhaust your free options before paying out!

IQ

Katymac_2

Thanks

Every time I rang to ask about 2003, they were unable to find any details; this time when I said I had the letter in front of me they said 'Oh yes' and talked to me about my previous appeal & the facts

They did at the time for about 2 days assess our claim without including the PHI, then they changed their mind and included it as income. for some reason I appealed, it was decided against me

I will keep trying charities etc - thank you

Katymac_2

Tax Aid are seeing who else can help me

Katymac_2

Taxaid can't help me or tell me who can. They say I won't get any money and it's my own fault as I didn't appeal the appeal decision in 2003.

We are devastated

How we I know to re-appeal? I believe officials if the tax man says pay me £21.73 - I pay them; if a plice office says you can't park here - I move.

Why would I doubt an official decision?

Icequeen99

Katymac wrote: »

Taxaid can't help me or tell me who can. They say I won't get any money and it's my own fault as I didn't appeal the appeal decision in 2003.

We are devastated

How we I know to re-appeal? I believe officials if the tax man says pay me £21.73 - I pay them; if a plice office says you can't park here - I move.

Why would I doubt an official decision?

I can't recollect if you have tried CAB. What about LITRG if TaxAid can't help?

What does the letter actually confirm?

IQ

Katymac_2

My letter from 2003 just says that my appeal was disallowed.

My photocopy is of the chq I used to return the overpayment & the receipt of that chq.

CAB said they were 'out of their depth'

As am I

Katymac_2

Do LITRG have a helpline (I couldn't see one)?

skateykatey

I've read your thread and still a bit confused over who advised who and when but...I would strongly advise you to go through your MP and ask them to write to the Chief Executive of HMRC (Lin Homer) and request that your claim is investigated.
It will then be prioritised and it WILL be investigated. I can't say that you will be paid any additional monies as it may be that you did materially contribute.

Look up your local MP and see if they have a free surgery, if not, just write to them.

If you don't mind disclosing your area, if you tell me your MP I should be able to know how effective they are...

ukjoel

I think this is a bigger issue.

If you have a fixed salary (or no salary) its easy to complete the form and claim credits.


However for many people their salary adjusts and changes yet tax credits wont backdate payment so to counter this people underestimate their income (or dont include a bonus they dont know they will get until year end) and are then penalised for this.

If you earn less then than expected its tough luck. If your over they claw it back.

It seems harsh it works one way but not the other, and the complaint process are a law unto themselves.