tax letter...not sure what next step

March2012

i used to be self employed with partner until he fell ill. i wrote to the tax office before the deadline to say we are on esa and not earnt anything not sure please could they let em knwo what to do . the next thing i got a call saying that i did not have to fill anything anyway. a month or so went by and they wrote to me telling me that i now have a penalty notice. i wrote again saying i have tried to register again online if that helped them in addition to what i had already done. now they have sent me a 600 pound fine when i have never earnt any money did everything within the deadline and they are not acknowledging my letters. it is becoming a joke. what to do next???!:(

nomunnofun

Unfortunately I have no wonderful news for you but perhaps I can point you in the right direction.

From what you say it would appear that you were in a business partnership with your partner with whom you are also in a relationship. Accordingly you are required to submit three forms, one personal return for each of you and a partnership return. There are late fines for all three and these will increase substantially without action.

You really need to seek profesional advice, probably an expense you could do without but vital all the same. You were badly misinformed when told that you did not have to fill in anything.

On a slightly more positive note, the fines for late submission can be appealed and, at least in my day, ill health was one of the few mitigating factors that HMRC did allow.

An accountant, or tax specialst, is the only answer I am afraid.

Good Luck!