HMRC Nightmare

Mr_Angry_Mk2

Advice Please.

I have just received a notice of underpayment for nearly £1,000 from the HMRC relating to the tax year 2008-09. This was a cheque they sent me in October 2008 but are now saying this was sent in error and want the money back before the 22nd January. I understand there is a 4 year limitation on errors but I guess this is on the tax year rather than when I received the cheque?

My wife had the same problem just before Christmas but for a much smaller amount. However when she contacted the HMRC about paying it in installments, they first wanted to know whether she had gone to the bank for a loan or asked family and friends to lend her the money and that the HMRC were a last resort not a first resort. She actually came off the phone in tears because of their attitude, we made a complaint but to no avail.

Any advice, any one can give would be greatly appreciated.

jimmo

Too many things just don’t make sense in your post I’m afraid.

Was the “notice of underpayment” a form P800 (usually printed in the bottom left hand corner)?

Why did you get a 2008/09 repayment in October 2008 (half way through the tax year)?

Did HMRC explain the error? If so, what did they say actually went wrong?

22 January seems to be a bit of a random date and the only reason I can think of for them giving that date is if they wrote to you on 22 or 23 December but they were a Saturday and Sunday so seems highly unlikely.

By the way, HMRC wrote to me “recently“, their letter is dated 30 November 2012. Also, The Pension Service wrote to me, their letter is dated 1 Jan, a non working day. Both letters were actually delivered on Saturday 5 Jan. In my case the dates are not critical and I understand what is going on.

In your case, the finest details could be critical.