Did I get my Self Assessment wrong?

bluejonny

For last years tax return I was enrolled in the new Beta program HMRC rolled out. Having been through the usual shenanigans of Gateway and postal codes, this seemed a really good idea.

However all is not well. It appears I made some mistakes and did not add information from my P11D, and additionally during the tax year my company changed legal names and that meant a period of earnings from a "different" employer during the tax year. The excitement of getting a tax refund actually clouded my thoughts to ask why or "hang on, that can't be right".

I have been completing a tax return for nearly 20 years, always without a problem. Now I have had a letter saying there are discrepancies and if I am not disputing them, I owe a fairly large chunk of tax and a fine (15% of what I owe on top).

So, yep - checking my print out of my return, I seemingly did not enter these details. So guilty. And I feel a right idiot and cannot quite believe how I missed it. Every year, I am fastidious with my return, checking, checking, checking. After speaking to my other half, we remember doing the return and thinking "a refund? Better go back and check".

I am flummoxed. Now have a rather large bill to pay. And before you start shouting at me, I know it's my fault, and yes I will somehow have to try and find the money.

But one thing irks me - if I was using a beta system, is there an outside possibility I did enter this info, but it didn't transmit?

I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience just an outsider? And yes I do feel bad, guilty, stupid and all the other labels I deserve. I just cannot believe I missed this. :shocked:

Cheers

BJ

[Deleted User]

Don't beat yourself up about it - I am sure that there are many like you.

I have highlighted in the past those who, because they have navigated the form process in full, believe that everything is fine - as you put 'I have been completing a tax return for nearly 20 years, always without a problem'.

Then the proverbial hits the fan.

Obviously there is the matter of the penalty at 15% - this is low and, probably, fair. I am not sure that much can be done about this. There is the possibility of negotiating time to pay - HMRC is not the worst to negotiate with.

I have been around the tax system for nigh on 40 years - I have absolutely no idea what the 'beta system' is. Sorry!

bluejonny

The beta system is where they used to have the Gateway system, where you applied for a passcode and it was sent to you on one of those blue and yellow card thingies. Then you could access the online system. The new system was a complete change to the log in, instead asking you a series of security questions and then sending a code to your mobile. Much better system.

Lorian

Don't think it changes the actual tax questions....

Darksparkle

Mistakes happen, learn from it and move on.

If you could show you'd taken reasonable care then there wouldn't be a penalty however it's likely this is being treated as careless (which to me sounds right) so 15% is the minimum.

Farcasting

i highly doubt it was a fault with HMRC's system since its a new way to log into your account to file the return as oppose to they've changed the return, the return is still the same and even if it was HMRC's error there wouldn't be much ground for appeal since before you submit the return there is a calculation on screen to confirm its correct, and more so for the fact you thought it was strange to get a refund but didn't call/ re check the return to confirm the figures were correct.

Sorry not the answer your looking for but id just give them a call if you cant afford to make the payment and setup a payment plan.