HMRC complaints?

Kerry201

Basically I have gone through a complaints procedure with HMRC, about working tax credits, and child tax credits. They wrote two years ago demanding a payment of £1200 because of a mix up when I changed from a single parent to living with my partner. My issue is that I have contested this amount as I feel it was there negligence, I warned them it was happening, I called on the day it happened, and was reassured I would have no debt out of it because I'd told them everything. A few months later I received their demand to which I made my complaint. I received no response to my complaint. They then sent my debt to a third party. Who couldn't recover it as I was contesting it. So back it went to HMRC. Who again sent demanding letters ( all for different amounts). I wrote to them asking for a break down of why I owe this money and why their figures vary but again no response. Finally I got a solicitor involved and she has had no response in the past year either! I did get a letter asking for permission for her to deal with it which I gave but again iv heard nothing. Is there anyway of getting a direct response without calling them ( iv no proof of anything said over the phone) . I'm fed up with it hanging over my head. If I owed the money I would pay but genuinely don't feel that I am at fault. And also hugely concerned that the money they have demanded varies from £400 to £1200....if they don't know what I owe, how am I supposed to know what to pay back?!

Alter_ego

When government departments are involved do everything in writing. If you feel you must telephone follow up in writing and ask for their reply in writing.
I realise it's a bit late but good advice for the future.

Darksparkle

To be fair, complaining about the overpayment wasn’t the correct procedure. It should have been an appeal or dispute depending on the reason for the overpayment. That said they should have replied.

Kerry201

It was a dispute process, sorry complaint wasn't the right term.
There's a lot more to it, and chances are that I do owe them money but I'm just wanting to find a way too resolve it, I want to know what I owe and how they have came to that figure.
After I wrote the post I realised it's now been 3 years! In those 3 years I haven't claimed any tax credits even though I'm entitled to a small amount because I'm worried about getting into any more debt with them ☹️

Darksparkle

Did you ever call them to confirm they had received your dispute?

Kerry201

I received a letter to acknowledge my letter, and they asked permission for my solicitor to continue with the dispute, so they are getting everything

Darksparkle

I’d do a subject access request.

Kerry201

Hmm that is not a bad idea! I'd never heard of one of those!
I knew I had a right to all transcripts which I asked for (evidence that they had gave me the wrong guidance) they wrote back saying that they had received my request and would begin getting the information.....still waiting 2 years later!
How would I go about making a subject access request?

FBaby

Just like it is your responsibility to check you are receiving the right amount and challenge them if you are not (providing the information in the first place is not enough to then place the responsibility on them), it is also your responsibility to evidence that repayment amount(s) claimed is incorrect.

Have you worked out yourself what it should have been if you don't think either amounts are correct?

Darksparkle

You can do it online, just do a search.

Kerry201

I did challenge them I called and confirmed the amount they were giving me as I felt it wasn't correct, I was told that it was
Unfortunately I can't figure it out myself, it isn't just two amounts I have letters for £480 £551 £980 and £1200 but they are not separate bills! They don't seem to be able to tell me what I owe. Surely it isn't unreasonable to want to know that and to have a break down of how they have calculated it?