UTR Issuing - Backlog?

Make-it-3

My OH has been asked to register for Self Assessment in order to pay back child benefit we receive.

Can I assume there is a huge backlog due to the additional thousands of people having to do this? He applied online for a UTR at the end of August and was told to expect an 8 week wait.

Would rather not have to call them !!!

chrismac1

It is not that unusual. Given the prospect of a fine on 31 Jan, ensure you have evidence of when you applied for the SA number. Also sometimes these clowns totally lose track of the application and you end up back at square 1.

How hard can it be to issue a ten-digit number?

Make-it-3

Indeed, indeed.

He has the auto email generated at the end of the online application - but can't move forward without those 10 little digits.

pjread

I've not received mine yet either, for what it's worth.

Not really sure why it can't be auto-generated.... In fact, if anyone can work out the cost of issuing these in man-days I'll send them a quote to write something that can automate it (possibly with a note saying "cash only - I have a little tax problem!" )

Gambler

same here, applied 13-SEp but heard nothing. I want to comple my SA online but can't regsiter without the UTR.

I may give them a ring.

edit: just found the number for the self assessment helpline 'Please ensure you have your utr' when you call !!

chrismac1

The most important thing for people in this situation is to have a PDF on file of the auto e-mail as per make-it-3's post above. We're now entering the silly season, first there is Christmas parties for HMRC staff to consider and then in January the self-assessment database is deluged with submission from deadline chasers.

At times in the next 2 months calling the helpline is just pointless. The database will spit out a £100 fine in early February for anyone it is programmed to expect a return from who has not filed. So the PDF you've kept could save you £100.

Make-it-3

Gambler please do let us know if you decide to call and what their response is.

Q: Can he be fined for non-filing if they haven't issued a UTR by the deadline for returns??

Make-it-3

Are they still issued by post? I wonder if it has gone astray?

It does seem astounding that a computer can't just generate and spit out a number in a matter of nano-seconds.

Gambler

Unbelievable. They have no record of me registering for self assessment. They weren't interested in my email confirmation or reference number.

All they could advise was for me to reapply !!

When querying about the deadline they said it should only take 5 weeks and there was nothing else they could do to help.

I think I'll just write a letter of complaint.

Gambler

chrismac1 wrote: »

At times in the next 2 months calling the helpline is just pointless. The database will spit out a £100 fine in early February for anyone it is programmed to expect a return from who has not filed. So the PDF you've kept could save you £100.

Sound advice. There's no way I'm paying a fine when I've followed the process correctly.

I've registered (AGAIN) and have a second email confirmation.

Make-it-3

Gambler - that's shocking - do complain - how can they expect us to pay our taxes on time when they can't pull their finger out to issue a simple number.

What's the betting my OH's has vanished into a black hole too - he registered on 30 August.

I guess he's going to have to ring up now and check - arrrgh!