HMRC/Rossendales ... advice please

HappyTommy

Hi, I received a letter saying I owed money for a self assessment tax return from a few years ago. I didn't do one because I was unaware I had to at the time, I thought the employer was doing it.

I contacted Hmrc who said that I was self employed at this time. I was not and told them as much. They then sent me a letter with details of how much I earned and how much tax I should have paid.

A few weeks after this I received a tax rebate, which was a surprise and confused me. I saw this as HMRC had checked and realised they got it wrong. This was around Christmas time last year.

Rossendales have been in touch, saying they want £1500 for HMRC. Due to having depression and being totally confused and scared of the situation I have tried to avoid it, however I have now received a final demand and I am terrified.

What is the best course of action for me to take?

Darksparkle

First thing I would be doing is checking if the pay and tax details are correct for the year in question.

Did your employer give you payslips? A P60?

jamesd

First phone Rossendales and inform them at the start of the call that you are suffering from depression and ask them to ensure that they handle your case according to the guidelines for those with mental health problems.

Then ask them to tell you what the claim is supposed to be for and unless your recognise it, tell them that you dispute the debt and will be contacting HMRC to try to sort out why HMRC think that you owe money that you don't owe.

After that, give HMRC a call early in the day someday. Again, explain at the start of the call that you are suffering from depression and that this has as one of its effect you ignoring potentially stressful situations, including contact with HMRC. Ask HMRC to explain why they think you owe them money and what for. You can ask them to send a letter explaining that and can also ask for time to review that and if necessary you can ask for an arrangement with HMRC to pay over time.

antonic

Once HMRC have passed the debt onto a Debt Collection Agency (DCA) like Rossendales they tell you to speak to the DCA and not them.

But in your case stress to Rossendales AND HMRC that you are a vulnerable customer (send proof if needed) and ask HMRC to call the debt back while you are disputing it.

And as others have suggested ask HMRC how the debt has arisen and ask for all enforcement action to be suspended until they provide an explanation of how the debt has arisen.

HappyTommy

Thanks for the advice, just getting the opinions of other people is making me feel much better. I've spent the day today rehearsing what I want to say when I make the phone call in the morning.

This has helped more than I can express :-)