WTC - Single Person claim Credit Check

yellowplum

I received a letter from HMRC advising that they have consulted a credit reference agency and note that another male person is registered and has credit at my address. Therefore he must be my partner and I must claim as a joint person.

When I telephoned the number I spoke to a rather inane and unhelpful person, who was not aware of HMRC's own guidance and policy. I advised that the person was a lodger and I did not have to report any income from him because the amount I received was under the threshold.

I was then called back and she reluctantly agreed that I was correct. However, and I quote, 'because you don't have a rental agreement we will class it as a joint claim'.

When I asked for her to put it in writing and request what she wanted form me she refused! 'We don't do that'

This is a brief synopsis of what happened, but as you can imagine it's rather disturbing. Firstly they automatically assume things and imply you are guilty of something, rather than asking you to clarify. You are clearly presumed guilty.

I just wondered if anyone else had this type of experience from HMRC, and how they managed to resolve this?

Icequeen99

Your only option is to appeal and provide evidence you are single. E.g bank statements that show rent payments, evidence of all bills in only your name.

Iq

yellowplum

It is a ridiculous notion to assume something first. They haven't made a decision, they are merely sent an accusatory letter saying maybe I should have made a joint application.

Icequeen99

yellowplum wrote: »

It is a ridiculous notion to assume something first. They haven't made a decision, they are merely sent an accusatory letter saying maybe I should have made a joint application.

If they haven't made a decision then there is nothing to worry about. I suspect however the letter they sent was a formal information seeking letter and after your conversation a decision notice will follow.

There are some people who are claiming tax credits as a single person while living with someone where they are in fact a couple. HMRC use credit data to find these people and therefore they have to follow up.

If everything is above board, then there is nothing to worry about.

Wait for the new decision (if they indeed decide to make one - they may accept your single claim is correct after your conversation) and then appeal if they dispute it.

IQ

yellowplum

Well they haven't implied that they have reached a decision they still want me to send copies of documents - although the woman I spoke to was not specific in what documents to send - but in essence the conversation was that if I didn't have a lease agreement then I would be treated as a couple. Which in my view is implausible as even by HMRCs own admission, I don't have to have a rental agreement with a rent a room scheme.

I think the best course of action here is just to send a letter back and let them put something in writing of what they are seeking from me, rather than having verbal conversations.

joeblack066

I thought that there was a difference between Taxable income from the rent a room scheme, and income for tax credits purposes? If not, just find the relevant legislation and quote it to them.

yellowplum

No you don't have to include it if it is less than £4,250 per annum. Yes I can prove he pays me, but that wasn't enough. All she kept repeating was that if I didn't have a tenancy agreement for a rent a room then they couldn't consider it. As I said earlier she was very aloof in her responses and wasn't able to substantiate anything she said to me. Not only that she didn't want to put anything in writing to request what I need to clarify.