Akinika debt agency

nac

I have been in dispute with HMRC for about 5 years now over an alleged tax credit overpayment, which I have always disputed. I have replied to their letters over the years telling them that I believe I gave them the correct information at the correct time, however, they deny it was their c**k up so basically they're still chasing me but have passed the 'debt' onto this Aninika debt agency. I don't know what to do, I truly do not agree that I owe them this money but the stress has made me so I'll over it all. Could it be statute barred?

edi

Hi nac,


Few years ago I was in a similar situation w.r.t. tax credit overpayments. HMRC wanted me to repay over £1800 however my (rather meticulous) calculation showed only under £200. I challenged HMRC to prove it but they would only sent me a summary showing £1800 overpayment but not how it was calculated. While I was dealing with them, they took me and my OH to court for non-payments. In the mean time I met a nice gentleman at HMRC's office in Stratford who advised me to take my case to my MP. My MP saw the calculations and wrote a strongly worded letter to HMRC demanding to know how they arrived at £1800 o.p. Ironically, he was also sent a summary sheet which !!!!ed him off. To cut the story short, after my MP's efforts I found out HMRC was actually claiming to have paid me £1500 tax credits through my employer, whom I didn't work for at the time of alleged payments. HMRC admitted the error, corrected the payment requests and assured us the case will be withdrawn. However we found out the day before the hearing the case was indeed active. The judge dismissed the case after a brief hearing but the stress we went through was unimaginable.


I would urge to seek your MP's help if you think your calculations are correct and HMRC is unhelpful.

sourcrates

Advice above is good, a debt with HMRC is never statute barred, they will always deduct it from any other benefit claim you have, for up to a period of 20 years.
If a DCA contacted you about it, and 6 years had passed(5 in Scotland) without any acknowledgement, then the SB defence could be used, but that just applies to the DCA, as I said HMRC can take money from any other benefit you may get to cover the debt for up to 20 years, even your pension, should you be around that age.
I would try your MP if you genuinely believe they are wrong.