Tax credit investigation concentrix

tomtontom

dataloss wrote: »

I'm self employed and have been for a few years since being made redundant and then unemployed for a year, before landing my job I was bounced around the system for 8 years.

I'm disabled and work a max of 16 hours selling items online through Amazon and Ebay and got a Concentrix compliance letter today (dated 5th June - must have fallen through a wormhole!) after submitting my claim renewal in mid April by post (Confirmed received by HMRC on the 24th April) - chased it up the other day.

They want the in's and outs of a ducks bottom for the last year or that will be a £3000 fine please. Some of it does not even apply to me ie vehicles for business (can't drive, have a provisional licence for ID purposes only) I don't place adverts either and don't know what do a person's qualifications have to do with it but they asked ones related to my trade/business, my qualifications are related to Graphic Design and Audio Visual Technology ie Video Editing, Photography, Computers ect.

I will provide them with what I have which is a bank statements, ebay/paypal income, amazon income, stock inventory in and out and my tax return, tax code ect. There is no citizen's advice in Ealing where I live anywhere, I'm going to call one in Chiswick on Monday for advice as this is affecting my already poor health by stress (caused a IBS attack)

Are you claiming WTC? If so you need to be working at least 16 hours a week, not at most. Are your earnings equivalent to NMW x 16? It sounds like they are verifying if your self employment is financially viable.

Judifjudifandjudif

I have had a letter accusing me of living with a partner and claiming as an individual. My bank wanted to charge me £5 per sheet for my bank statements, so I gave them a call, to see if we could straighten it out. I called them and confirmed that my mother was the other adult registered at my address, and not a partner, and after placing me on hold for a short while, they closed the case.


I would strongly advise anyone to call them before rushing around trying to collate all of the documents, as although the waiting times are long, the staff are friendly and helpful, and you may just be able to sort it out by phone.

dataloss

tomtontom wrote: »

Are you claiming WTC? If so you need to be working at least 16 hours a week, not at most. Are your earnings equivalent to NMW x 16? It sounds like they are verifying if your self employment is financially viable.

Yes with the disability element, I can only do 16 hours maximum that's what I meant, I was previously working 21 hours at sheltered workshop for the disabled (print shop where I was a designer) but it was closed down several years back and while I was doing that I would come home and pretty much pass out from tiredness. I tried to do longer hours than that when I started there and was passing out at work and had to go home. I could not find any part time work after I was made redundant which is why I started doing what I'm doing, I'm 36 and my health is getting worse (had circulation and blood clot problems in my leg for the last few months despite regular exercise and medication) so having to deal with this is pushing my stress levels through the roof and there is around £29,000 of debt I'm trying to pay off as well.

shegirl

dataloss wrote: »

Yes with the disability element, I can only do 16 hours maximum that's what I meant, I was previously working 21 hours at sheltered workshop for the disabled (print shop where I was a designer) but it was closed down several years back and while I was doing that I would come home and pretty much pass out from tiredness. I tried to do longer hours than that when I started there and was passing out at work and had to go home. I could not find any part time work after I was made redundant which is why I started doing what I'm doing, I'm 36 and my health is getting worse (had circulation and blood clot problems in my leg for the last few months despite regular exercise and medication) so having to deal with this is pushing my stress levels through the roof and there is around £29,000 of debt I'm trying to pay off as well.

You need to work a minimum of 16 hours a week.

Do you have some sort of log of your working hours?

I imagine ebay and Amazon sellers are going to be some of those who find it a but tricky as it could be hard to prove hours (especially with relisting,copying and pasting etc taking seconds), no advertising and promoting etc

tea-bag

16 hours selling on eBay and Amazon!!! Your turnover MUST BE HUGE!!

Another loop hole being closed!

dataloss

A lot of my time is spent cleaning and testing items and doing product photography, I've been selling a lot of used camera equipment and computer components in recent months, I've been trading and filing for self assessment since since 2009 and been up front and honest with HMRC with my tax returns and tax credit claim from day one. I've typed out a complete breakdown of my business to send along with everything else. My turnover is not large at all as my working capital is low and I've never had a line of business credit due the debt as stated above however the business is viable as anyone else with what is essentially a mail order business. I'd rather not be dependant on the state at all TBH it's like having a inflatable life jacket with a large hole in it.

KrazyKel

I had a letter from concentrix this week, made me really worry!
My details/income/hours worked havent changed in years

I get DLA, High Mobility/Low Care, work 16 Hours a week (Contract) and get the disability element of WTC

They need information from my employment and the hours I worked
Is it to just confirm im working my 16 hours?
Ive got my P60 to send them, just need to find out some wage slips and ask work for my contract saying I work 16 hours, hope that will be ok!

bigtone1977

That sounds ok. We had a letter for the same thing this Saturday. Although I am not self employed I am employed. They want a years worth of payslips and employment contract or employer confirmation that I am doing enough hours.

Seems weird why they would write to me when everything is done by my employer anyway. I get proper payslips that clearly show the hours I work.

Still leaves you feeling like you have done something wrong. Actually considering telling them to poke the lot up their tail end. Seems much more hassle than it's worth, i'd rather struggle without these sort of letters.

dataloss

Took 5 Weeks (Got another letter today dated July 2nd which was delivered to the wrong house on the wrong street "Silly Postie") Case Closed - No Changes.