Help with Inland Revenue problem, please.

0rsen

I am currently in dialogue (one-way, it seems) with the Inland Revenue. I am attempting to get my tax code sorted out, but am receiving no correspondence from the them. I have photocopied reams of previously completed paper work to assist them, but in six months have had only one letter from them, asking me to complete form P161, which I returned about two months ago. Is there anyone in authority in the IR that I can contact in order to get things moving?
I have already been through this process about 3 years ago with a different tax office and fairly seamlessly, but I changed employment and it seems that everything has had to start again. What it means is that I am paying tax at 22 per cent when, as I am over retirement age, it should be 14 per cent. Any advice appreciated.

Tarasam

The P161 will sort everything out, which tax office are you dealing with?
In some areas HMRC are still dealing with post from April so it may be held up. Give them a call, I work for HMRC in PAYE and we can sort out the majority of probs and amend your coding from info provided on the phone.

stratty

The speed at which the tax office attend to post is an absolute joke.

If you want to move things along quicker I suggest you give them a call.

Providing you pass the security questions they can attend to any tax code changes over the phone.

0rsen

Thanks for the prompt reply. I am in contact with the office at Grange Road, Middlesbrough. I had all this sorted out with the office in Bedfordshire in June, 2005, (only 2 years ago, not 3 as I thought) but I am having to go through the whole rigmarole again. I am surprised that, in this age of computers, there seems to be no firm database concerning my affairs.

missile

I suggest you read their code of practice. Reference same in a letter clearly marked "COMPLAINT".

It worked for me many years back, I even got an appology!

stratty

0rsen wrote: »

Thanks for the prompt reply. I am in contact with the office at Grange Road, Middlesbrough. I had all this sorted out with the office in Bedfordshire in June, 2005, (only 2 years ago, not 3 as I thought) but I am having to go through the whole rigmarole again. I am surprised that, in this age of computers, there seems to be no firm database concerning my affairs.

The different tax offices will not talk to each other aside from a transfer of records which should happen when you transfer to a different employer. You can never put a timeframe on this though as it varies massively across the country.

Try 0845 302 1414.

stratty

Also from reading through your post I dont understand what you mean by paying tax at 14%. When you hit state retirement age the amount of personal tax free allowance you receive typically increases although this is dependant on your total gross income.

Regardless of the amount of Personal Allowance you have the tax rates remain the same at 10/22/40%

If you are over the retirement age you can also claim exemption from National Insurance.

0rsen

Hello, Stratty. Completing the P161 raises the personal allowance from £4,895 to £7,090. These figures may now be out of date, but nevertheless, it enables me to pay tax at 14%. I know, because I have already been claiming previously. I also had a sizeable rebate in 2005. I am not fully familiar with the ins and outs of the thing, but do know that I paid a lot less tax than I am currently paying. Because of the lack of acknowledgement, I sent the P161 recorded delivery over 2 months ago, but have had no reply. This is the maddening thing about it. I don't really need this problem.

0rsen

Missile. Thanks. Where will I find their code of practice?

Tarasam

I deal with Middlesbrough and i can tell you honestly and as of yesterday they are dealing with 16-20 Aprils post.

Also if you ring the Middlesbrough office, you will come through to a contact centre, ask to speak to a team leader to make a formal complaint.

If you sent your post in a couple of months ago then its prob being dealt with as we speak.

Hoddie_2

Also if you ring the Middlesbrough office, you will come through to a contact centre, ask to speak to a team leader to make a formal complaint.

A contact centre team leader is not in a position to deal with a complaint about processing delays. If a complaint is necessary they'd need to ask to speak to the processing office.

These figures may now be out of date, but nevertheless, it enables me to pay tax at 14%.

Also, there is no 14% rate of income tax. This may have been the net effect of the codes issued 2 years ago, but is unlikely to still be correct as there have been changes in the rate bands and, most probably, your income has increased.

The BR 22% code will be correct for one of your sources of income if the other source(s) of income (including State Pension) are equal to or more than £9,780; and your total taxable income is £20,900 or less.

All HMRC codes of practice have recently been replaced by a single factsheet about complaints (available here in pdf format). I personally would not complain until the issue has been sorted out, as you may be in the wrong and/or are unlikely to put staff in the right mood to help sort any problems out.