Why did I get a self assesment tax form when I've been employed for over a year?

jasper27

Does anyone know why have I been sent a self assesment tax form when I have been employed by the council since October 2013?

I was previously on ESA for approx 2 years.

Note: posted on behalf of a friend

dori2o

jasper27 wrote: »

Does anyone know why have I been sent a self assesment tax form when I have been employed by the council since October 2013?

I was previously on ESA for approx 2 years.

Note: posted on behalf of a friend

Did your friend ever consider becoming self employed, maybe at the suggestion of a back to work provider? Could it be that they did consider it and notify HMRC but then didn‘t go through with it?

Have they ever rented out a property?

Do they earn over £50k and are in a household in receipt of child benefit.

Do they owe tax from earlier years which despite notification has not been paid?

There are many different reasons why they would have to complete SA. If none of the above applies and your friend cannot think of any other reason why it has been issued, they the only way you cn find out is to contact HMRC and ask.

jasper27

Thanks for your reply dori2o

dori2o wrote: »

Did your friend ever consider becoming self employed, maybe at the suggestion of a back to work provider? Could it be that they did consider it and notify HMRC but then didn‘t go through with it?

They were once self employed back in 2002, only for about 2 weeks.

Have they ever rented out a property?
No

Do they earn over £50k and are in a household in receipt of child benefit.

No

Do they owe tax from earlier years which despite notification has not been paid?

No

There are many different reasons why they would have to complete SA. If none of the above applies and your friend cannot think of any other reason why it has been issued, they the only way you cn find out is to contact HMRC and ask.

dori2o

When your friend calls for the reason for the SA rtn, assuming that the reason given is incorrect and there is no other reason that they should do one, then they can ask the adviser they speak to consider cancelling the return.

The adviser should go through a checklist and assuming your friend doesn‘t met any of the criteria on that checklist then the adviser should be able to cancel the RTN and close the account.

PlutoinCapricorn

https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/who-must-send-a-tax-return

jasper27

dori2o wrote: »

When your friend calls for the reason for the SA rtn, assuming that the reason given is incorrect and there is no other reason that they should do one, then they can ask the adviser they speak to consider cancelling the return.

The adviser should go through a checklist and assuming your friend doesn‘t met any of the criteria on that checklist then the adviser should be able to cancel the RTN and close the account.

Thanks again dori2o, they are going to try and call the helpline again, tried previously but was in a queue for a long time.

I think they are worried about getting a £100 fine if they can't get through to them before the deadline tomorrow. If that's the case, would they be able to contest the fine? or is it non-negotiable?

I have never had to deal with SA rtn's so feel a bit helpless

PlutoinCapricorn

Sent a form as opposed to a request to file? Definitely for 2013/14 not 2014/15?

jasper27

Thanks PlutoinCapricorn

He has just completed the questionnaire in the link you sent and it says he does NOT need to fill in a SA rtn form

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Sent a form as opposed to a request to file? Definitely for 2013/14 not 2014/15?

He can't remember and he's not at home to check at the moment

Thanks for everyone's help, he is going to keep trying the phone.

PlutoinCapricorn

So he is not a minister or religion or over retirement age then?

Once you have received a request to file, you must do it unless you can get HMRC to admit the request was sent in error, even if the list of questions shows you do not need to self assess.

agrinnall

Tell your "friend" to complete their SA before tomorrow night. If their income comes from employment then it can be done in a very short time if they have their P60 and it'll avoid the late/non-submission penalty (it's not a fine).

TheCyclingProgrammer

How recently have they received this return or notice to file?

If it's not an error but has been received very recently it may have an extended deadline. It will say on the notice.