HMRC wont accept offer

ross1976

Looking for a little advice.

My first ever post

Last month 18th July I received a letter from HMRC saying i owe £3800 in unpaid tax plus fines of £662 this is for tax years 12/13 13/14 14/15. in the space of one months i have found out about the debt had demands for payment and threatening letters for door step collection. I immediately phoned HMRC and was told this was for over £50K child benefit tax. This has now been explained to me and i understand it however HMRC will not accept an offer from me. The first offer of £100 was rejected and the second of £150 was rejected. The lady i spoke to said make the £150 payment anyway to show your willing so i did and have been. I have since received several letters asking to pay in full or they will be on my doorstep. I called back to discus again and was told the amount was too little, i have accepted the debt but until i am back on my feet after 2 years of unemployment i cant afford anymore. I did find this interesting though, I asked for all correspondence relating to this debt going back to 2012 to which i was told the only communication they have sent was related to my company car in 2013, The HMRC adviser had a chuckle Literally laughed and said we haven't sent you anything in relation to this debt. I asked how would i know i owed the money if you haven't sent any communications he replied i see what your saying and you wouldn't know. i got put through to another team within HMRC and the arrogance was you owe the money and have to pay. the offer is still not being accepted but i`m still paying.
I owe the money thats fine my real problem is this wouldn't have got to this stage if i had known about it.
I just think its ridiculous that i have gone back to work after 2 years i have received this demand they wont accept my offer and they know they didn't send my any communication, at best i think the fines are not fare.

Any advice greatly appreciate

Darksparkle

Why would you think they'd accept £150 for a debt of over £4000?

The child benefit high income charge was well publicised. It was up to the claimant to register and complete self assessments.

p00hsticks

There has been a similar thread over on the 'cutting tax' board -
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5692533

Unfortunately for you the consensus seems to be that the withdrawal of child benefit to those earning over £50k were very well publicised and it is peoples individual responsibility to ensure they are meeting the critieria for claiming benefits.

ross1976

I would think they would accept given that after all my outgoings including the £150 i have £100 left. i might have missed the fact i am now trying to repay debt due to unemployment including mortgage arrears.

Darksparkle

ross1976 wrote: »

I would think they would accept given that after all my outgoings including the £150 i have £100 left. i might have missed the fact i am now trying to repay debt due to unemployment including mortgage arrears.

So do you mean you offered a monthly payment of £150, not just £150?

xylophone

It was misconceived, clumsy legislation and though unaffected by it, I did write a letter of complaint to my MP.

But it was well publicised.

http://monevator.com/how-to-keep-child-benefit-and-retire-richer/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20119514

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/if-you-dont-pay-your-tax-bill/overview


Has a payments by instalments plan been refused by HMRC?

Carl31

xylophone wrote: »

It was misconceived, clumsy legislation and though unaffected by it, I did write a letter of complaint to my MP.

But it was well publicised.

http://monevator.com/how-to-keep-child-benefit-and-retire-richer/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20119514

did you get a response?

It is poor legislation. Someone earning £50k in london is going to be in a very different position to someone earning £50k in yorkshire for example

Also, the big issue where a family of a single earner earning £50-60k loses out, where a household with income of £100k gets to keep it (£50k x 2)

ross1976

No i offered £150 per month until my circumstance change which should be in 2 or 3 months then the payment can double

w00519772

Why are you angry with HMRC? It is not their fault. As others have said; it is your responsibility to make sure you are receiving the correct amount.

You made them an offer and they have declined the offer. I guess you have two options:

1) Increase your offer
2) Deal with the consequences of not increasing your offer.

Sorry if this sounds harsh. I am no expert. If I was you then I would pay as much of it as I could each month e.g. £150 this month; £175 next month etc. As others have said it would show willing.

sheramber

Have you sent HMRC an Income and Expenditure statement to back up your offer?