ex-employer Tesco issued wrong P45 - what can I do?

dutchburd

I have worked with Tesco from 31/03/12 - 04/01/13.
I noticed after a few months of working that I was paying too much tax, though my Tax code seemed to be correct, 810L, but after months there was still 'Wk 1' behind my tax code, which apparently caused the problem. So HMRC issued a new taxcode in June '12. But with an attachment of previous earnings to date (which obviously was what I had earned in that tax year to that date with Tesco's), so Tesco Payroll added what I had earned til Jun '12 so far with them, again, to the 'Earnings to date' figure, and from then on my 'Earnings to Date' on my payslips showed a figure that was £ 2,500 too high, and a 'tax paid to date' that was £ 290 too high. You still with me? Sorry if its confusing, not sure how to explain it better! I spoke to Tesco countless number of times, they said it was the Tax Office. I spoke to the Tax Office equally as often, they blamed Tesco. The Tax Office realised their mistake, and re-issued a new tax code (without previous earnings etc) twice, they even authorized Tesco twice, by fax, to remove the said £ 2,500. Nothing. I changed employment recently and obviously Tesco sent me a P45, with the wrong details. The Tax Office say they can't help, Tesco is not replying to my emails, their payroll (based in India) won't talk to me, only to store- or personnelmanager, who, in turn, couldn't care less etc. Based on the current situation, I calculated I will end up having to pay an extra £ 600,00 in Tax, whereas I shouldn't have to pay any tax til the end of this tax year! That is a huge difference to me! Can anybody please advise me what to do! Thank you!! And I am sorry it's such a long saga!

cr1mson

I had a similiar issue although it was because employer issued P45 before final payment was made so it was under.

In order to keep my tax right HMRC advised me not to hand P45 to subsequent employer and to complete a P46 instead which would mean figures would come from them. Drawback is that might be on emergency tax for first month of new job (I wasn't though it was fine).

dutchburd

Thanks for your advise! I have already withheld my P45 and filled in a P46, but in a phonecall today with HMRC they said, I would have to get Tesco to issue the correct details, as they (HMRC) willl go by the figures issued to them by Tesco...? I actually have received my first pay from my new employer, and they have the right tax code, and I didn't pay a lot of tax this time. But based on what HMRC said on phone, I am now worried I will get hammered at the end of this tax year based on my total of this year's income, plus the 2,500 Tesco added. Because how will HMRC know what I really earned, if they only accept the details provided by Tesco? Maybe I am over-thinking things?

Cate1976

Have you kept your payslips? If you have then I would suggest photocopying them and send the originals to tax office with covering letter. The tax office should then be able to work out how much tax you should have paid and adjust your tax code to ensure you don't pay too much or too little tax for the rest of this tax year.

dutchburd

Thank you that's a good idea. Will try that and hope that HMRC will accept those details. Cheers!