Letter from Concentrix on behalf of HMRC - Self employed re- Working tax credit

AutumnMoon

Thanks for the replies.

I'm worried about the invoices. Why would I invoice a client? How it works is I go to their house, Perform the treatment and they pay me their and then. Most of them are over 60. Isn't it going to look a bit odd if I present them with an invoice? I honestly did not think this was required. For example my hairdresser is self employed, she never invoices me! Perhaps i'd be best to go through my account book and start doing receipts and give them to my client's when I see them and explain the situation. Would it be worth doing this and sending them in, explaining that I don't invoice my clients but I do give them receipts? Bare in mind they'e asked for "invoices for any work done"

Mensch

This is the next disaster waiting to happen and you have to be aware that they, the government and Concentrix, are out to get you.

Concentrix is a private company chosen by the government to investigate tax credits entitlement because it does not trust the civil service to do the job properly. This is because the civil service largely accepts that you have entitlement and is willing to work on your behalf to ensure you get what you are entitled to. Beware, because there's now a new kid on the block.

Concentrix is a company which hopes to get a portion of the pie and Tory ministers are quite happy to let their friends share at the trough. Concentrix can only get a permanent contract if it shows that it is successful in reducing your entitlement.

You cannot and should not expect them to work on your behalf. They will shaft you if they can because that is how they make a profit and no one will be able to do anything about it until the Tories are routed. Think ATOS and G4.

I am seriously worried about where we are headed and, if you claim tax credits, you should be as well.

NYM

Mensch wrote: »

This is the next disaster waiting to happen and you have to be aware that they, the government and Concentrix, are out to get you.

Concentrix is a private company chosen by the government to investigate tax credits entitlement because it does not trust the civil service to do the job properly. This is because the civil service largely accepts that you have entitlement and is willing to work on your behalf to ensure you get what you are entitled to. Beware, because there's now a new kid on the block.

Concentrix is a company which hopes to get a portion of the pie and Tory ministers are quite happy to let their friends share at the trough. Concentrix can only get a permanent contract if it shows that it is successful in reducing your entitlement.

You cannot and should not expect them to work on your behalf. They will shaft you if they can because that is how they make a profit and no one will be able to do anything about it until the Tories are routed. Think ATOS and G4.

I am seriously worried about where we are headed and, if you claim tax credits, you should be as well.

Genuine claimants have nothing to fear so why are you bringing Politics into this ?

btw....Concentrix were appointed by a LABOUR government.

justjohn

We had a check like this, but I assume it was before it was farmed out to concentrix.


Just give them what they want, if its like our check they just want too see your hours are actually justifiable.


There is no legal obligation to hand out receipts(if under vat threshold) or even bank your cash. However you should keep records ,appointment book would be just as good.


I did not like the fact they asked for all my bank accounts and any savings I had.


As I have said just give them as much as you have...its not a hmrc audit. It does not have to be you full books compile by an accountant lol

justjohn

NYM wrote: »

Genuine claimants have nothing to fear so why are you bringing Politics into this ?

btw....Concentrix were appointed by a LABOUR government.

mmm 2013 they started on a trial.....according to below


http://www.aat-interactive.org.uk/cpd/archives/10106

flea72

I received this letter too asking me to confirm OHs hours and pay.

They want 6m payslips, a letter from his employer with a breakdown of hours/pay and a copy of his contract.

They had access to his P60 for proof of income when we renewed, so no idea why they think his hrs/pay dont tally up. But why the need to see a contract? His employer is local government, so i doubt they would be pulling a fast one and fiddling his pay slips so we can claim more tax credits

NYM

justjohn wrote: »

mmm 2013 they started on a trial.....according to below


http://www.aat-interactive.org.uk/cpd/archives/10106

According to this one...

Published 5 February 2007

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails


1.1 Tax credits letters from Concentrix
From November 2014, a company called Concentrix will be working on behalf of HMRC to check that people are receiving the correct amount of tax credits.

Some tax credits customers will receive a letter that shows both HMRC and Concentrix logos. The letter will tell customers what they need to do, and the information they may need to provide. Concentrix may also contact customers by telephone.

HMRC and Concentrix won’t ask customers to disclose any personal or payment information by text or email. Both HMRC and Concentrix are committed to ensuring the security of customer information.

flea72

blondebubbles wrote: »

P60 is for the last tax year so isn't the same information as the last 6 months which is all in this tax year.

Some cases are randomly selected for a check and some are done on a risk basis if the info provided by the employer via RTI doesn't match what was been provided to tax credits.

Employers can get things wrong, even local government.

Hes worked there for 8yrs, pay hasnt changed in that time, so payslips will tell them exactly the same information as last years P60.

I could understand being investigated if there was suddenly a change in income/entitlement. But when you have been claiming tax credits for 20yrs and your entitlement hasnt changed, you do wonder what they are trying to achieve. Maybe concentrix are paid per case they investigate, so they choose the straightforward ones?

But like the OP. You know you have done nothing wrong, but you still feel worried. Mainly because even though you know you gave the correct information on renewal, you dont know if someone input details wrong their end, and what they said you were entitled to, will now be claimed back

AutumnMoon

I think my main concern is the wording of the letter, it's very negative. It has got to be designed to scare people & remind them that they control you & can take your payments away & change your life drastically should they wish.

I have a tendency to babble when explaining myself, not sure if I should go into a lot of detail regarding my hours, stating that in the school holidays i'll hopefully be working evenings as opposed to days and may earn more money this way? Also not sure whether to go into detail regarding my voluntary work?

I'm terrified as all I have to prove myself is my account book with my appointments in & payment (for my second SE job) I'm also going to go back & issue receipts to all my clients for this period & send them in. I wish I put this money through the bank in the past, it's just always been more hassle than it's worth as i'd only be withdrawing it straight away anyway.

eadieb

self employed earnings are usually averaged accross a reasonable period and more often for over 12 months. So even if there are slight variations of hours I dont think it will be an issue.
In the future, for the purposes of Tax Credits, I would suggest opening a separate bank account. You dont have to have a business account, it could be just another standard bank account but use it only for all your business incomes and outgoings, and then pay yourself amounts from it, maybe weekly (just a standing order set up on you internet banking). that way, there will be a simple dated paper trail of information that will be easy to submit in future. I always suggest to people to keep a diary, especially when they spend some of their working time not just with clients. e.g travelling, researching, administration, banking, accounting, advertising, booking etc etc.