overpayment tax - claims company

u751904

I filled in a form provided via unison. the company undertaking the free evaluation wasn't unison - just a 'service' offered through unison. anyway - sent form off. Company said well we think you have paid too much tax, and they'll complete the process of claiming back the tax, obviously they take a percentage off each pound received in commission. Fair enough. However is there a way of checking this out myself? I've had numerous jobs since the recession started, some full time some part time. So it is a bit complicated. any ideas before I give this company a cut of my tax rebate - which may be little of course.

jem16

u751904 wrote: »

any ideas before I give this company a cut of my tax rebate - which may be little of course.

Yes phone up HMRC. They may already have all your details. Or you can check yourself by taking the figures from any P45s or P60s.

Don't pay somebody to do this for you.

Dazed_and_confused

Yes, you can do this yourself. Remember if you use a claims company they normally get their fee by you signing ANY refund over to them, they then send you this less their fee. This means they not only get a proprtion of any fees/subscriptions/laundry costs they claim on your behalf but also of any other amount that may be refunded at the same time.

For example if you were due £100 tax refund because of fees/laundry costs etc and the fee you agree is 20% then they get £20 (or maybe £20 + vat)

but if you have also overpaid for other reasons (possible per your post) and weredue £1000 refund they get £200 (or200 + vat)

zagfles

It's unbelievable unions do this - referring members to fee charging services for claiming tax rebates. My union does the same. These companies usually want about 40%!! Unions should be giving members free advice on how to make sure their tax is correct. Wonder if the union gets referral commission.

Also, HMRC sometimes give refunds based on a claim without checking, which they then might investigate later and find isn't valid - so you could get a refund, pay the company 40%, then have HMRC taking it all back!!

le_loup

If you have sent the form off .... you are committed unless you contact them immediately because you have given permission for them to act as your agents with HMRC.

Gas_Powered_Toothbrush

le_loup wrote: »

If you have sent the form off .... you are committed unless you contact them immediately because you have given permission for them to act as your agents with HMRC.

Though unless you've signed a deed of assignment, you can withdraw this authority at any time, simply by phoning HMRC.

le_loup

I doubt the OP has any idea what he signed.

Cook_County

If your union is recommending you use unqualified ambulance chasers - then leave them.