HMRC holding incorrect information

kpetal

Hi all.  I've had a letter from HMRC stating I've incurred penalties due to not submitted self assessments since 2015.  I was surprised by this as I never completed forms and have worked for the same organisation for the past 15 years.  I've since found out that, that the HMRC records hold an incorrect address since 2015 (I've lived at my current address for the past 16 years).  I've tried contacting them to say they have incorrect information, but no joy.  My employer has confirmed that they have my current address and not the address HMRC have on record.    I changed jobs in late last year and again, my address changed on the HMRC system.  It was only in March, my current address is listed.  So not sure who is changing my address, who is registering for self assessment.  Now, they have my right address, I've been told to pay the penalties which i have appealed against.  Can anyone help with this?  I'm worried about identify theft.  HMRC have sent letters to a random address and my NI number is on them.

MattMattMattUK

kpetal said:

Hi all.  I've had a letter from HMRC stating I've incurred penalties due to not submitted self assessments since 2015.  I was surprised by this as I never completed forms and have worked for the same organisation for the past 15 years.  I've since found out that, that the HMRC records hold an incorrect address since 2015 (I've lived at my current address for the past 16 years).  I've tried contacting them to say they have incorrect information, but no joy.  My employer has confirmed that they have my current address and not the address HMRC have on record.    I changed jobs in late last year and again, my address changed on the HMRC system.  It was only in March, my current address is listed.  So not sure who is changing my address, who is registering for self assessment.  Now, they have my right address, I've been told to pay the penalties which i have appealed against.  Can anyone help with this?  I'm worried about identify theft.  HMRC have sent letters to a random address and my NI number is on them.

It could be a mix up, it could be someone has used your NI Number, either way it does not hugely matter as it will get resolved, but you are going to unfortunately have to do a bit of the leg work. You need to speak to HMRC but unfortunately their SA helpline is closed until 04/09. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/self-assessment

Jeremy535897

It might be time to hire an accountant who specialises in this sort of work, if the amounts are material.

kpetal

Jeremy535897 said:

It might be time to hire an accountant who specialises in this sort of work, if the amounts are material.

I've got an Accountant on it and they are also baffled by all this.  

MattMattMattUK

kpetal said:

Jeremy535897 said:

It might be time to hire an accountant who specialises in this sort of work, if the amounts are material.

I've got an Accountant on it and they are also baffled by all this.  

I am not sure why they are baffled, at some point you have been registered for self-assessment, that is fairly obvious. The how might be more complicated, it might involve a simple issue of a crossed registration,  there might have been self assessments submitted in your name, it might be someone with the same name etc. 

Now resolving it is going to take a bit of work, but it is not going to cause you any issues long term. Write to HMRC, clearly explain the issue, no emotions, just facts. Timeliness of employment, PAYE employment, notices and references you have received. 

sheramber

You could also ask HMRC for a copy of the self assessment registration form.  Since they have not contacted you by email I would assume the registration was done by post.

kpetal

sheramber said:

You could also ask HMRC for a copy of the self assessment registration form.  Since they have not contacted you by email I would assume the registration was done by post.

Thanks for the reply.  I have asked HMRC for the completed form.  Hopefully this will prove my NI number has been incorrected crossed reference with someone else, or its identity fraud.  Just is all frustrating, with gjd helpline not available, and the online chat useless, it's very time consuming.