HMRC letter re tax credits

zagfles

Darksparkle wrote: »

Your example still doesn't suggest that they call someone a criminal. Just that there is a discrepancy.

I don't know any office that writes letters and posts them a week or two later. My letters go out the next working day. And of course letters will still go out during the summer holidays, they can't sit twiddling their thumbs for two months!

People have had their awards finalised based on the assumption that the figures they gave were wrong. No chance to explain the discrepancy. Just the opportunity to appeal (mandatory reconsideration).

I know people who've had letters delivered over 2 weeks after the date on the letter (might be the post of course), but sending letters second class where there's a time-critical appeal period at a time when a lot of people are on holiday? Where they've finalised an award based on the assumption the customer is lying?

If that sort of practice, which was widespread judging by posts on here, is anything to go by it shows how HMRC treat customers like perhaps the OP.

Darksparkle

zagfles wrote: »

People have had their awards finalised based on the assumption that the figures they gave were wrong. No chance to explain the discrepancy. Just the opportunity to appeal (mandatory reconsideration).

I know people who've had letters delivered over 2 weeks after the date on the letter (might be the post of course), but sending letters second class where there's a time-critical appeal period at a time when a lot of people are on holiday? Where they've finalised an award based on the assumption the customer is lying?

If that sort of practice, which was widespread judging by posts on here, is anything to go by it shows how HMRC treat customers like perhaps the OP.

Sending second class post is HMRCs decision, not the individual caseworker. There is no way for them to choose to send it first class.

zagfles

Darksparkle wrote: »

Sending second class post is HMRCs decision, not the individual caseworker. There is no way for them to choose to send it first class.

I'm not blaming individual caseworkers. I'm blaming HMRC.

NeilCr

zagfles wrote: »

If that sort of practice, which was widespread judging by posts on here, is anything to go by it shows how HMRC treat customers like perhaps the OP.

Yes. But, I don't think you can judge what is normal practice by this website - or any others to be honest

I do quite a bit of face to face advice on a number of issues. If I judged the local court's performance on getting letters to the right address by my clients then I would think it would be empty all of the time. And, before anyone says anything, I am not in any way implying that the letters have been received - more saying that people who haven't had any problems or bad experiences tend not to say anything

Icequeen99

What is the phone number you are trying to phone HMRC on?

Are you sure the letter only gives you 7 days to confirm the income figure?

IQ