HMRC Self Assessment Payments that I have not received.

Starling45

I wonder if anyone else has been contacted to be chased for payments they have not received. 
HMRC tell me I owe two payments of around £200 each from 5 years ago. Neither of which I have received and as I have explained over the phone, I have the bank statements to prove they were not made to me. They are not at all interested in my proof of no payment and instead tell me that 'from experience' the payments might be held in the banks suspended account and that it is my responsibility to find them. They have also suggested that I manage my accounts carefully which I am furious about as I have an online account with them and carefully monitor my finances.

Why (if they have made a mistake) is it my responsibility to pay up or find their missing money?

They had originally sent an email offering a £50 payment due to the upset this may cause if I emailed them my account details so for some time I have thought this to be a scam. 

I cannot believe that they can get away with these mistakes and mismanagement of people's finances and yet blame the tax payer!

Famau

This sounds rather strange.  Are you sure that this is not a scam with someone masquerading as HMRC? ?  It certainly seems suspicious

Starling45

Thank you for your reply, I certainly did think it was a scam so went on HMRC and asked them to confirm in writing. Today I got their letter and called them directly to discuss so now I know it's not a scam.
I just can't believe they can claim amounts of money from me when I have proof that I didn't receive them.
I wonder how many people are paying them back miscellaneous payments out of fear that they will go to debt collectors because the HMRC refuse to check these payments themselves. 

Famau

I assume that if HMRC think you owe two lots of £200, they must think you have received two sets of income of £1000 (assuming that you are a 20% taxpayer).  Ultimately, if you are sure that you have not received these sums then HMRC should be able to tell you which bank/building society or other source has apparently given rise to them.  But ultimately, the process is skewed in favour of HMRC I'm afraid.  And many of us don't have good records or memories that stretch back five years or more.  Sorry I can't be of more help !

Hoenir

Famau said:

IAnd many of us don't have good records or memories that stretch back five years or more.  

Onus is on the taxpayer to maintain the records though. HMRC can revisit prior tax years. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Starling45 said:

Thank you for your reply, I certainly did think it was a scam so went on HMRC and asked them to confirm in writing. Today I got their letter and called them directly to discuss so now I know it's not a scam.
I just can't believe they can claim amounts of money from me when I have proof that I didn't receive them.
I wonder how many people are paying them back miscellaneous payments out of fear that they will go to debt collectors because the HMRC refuse to check these payments themselves. 

Unless you can explain in clearer terms exactly what has happened it's unlikely anyone will be able to help you much.

Is it tax you owe?

Or did HMRC send you two payments which you claim you didn't receive?

Or something else?

Starling45

Thank you all for your comments. HMRC say they sent me two payments but I can prove from my bank statement I have never received them. The letter states that they were 'incorrect repayments' from my national insurance number.

TheSpectator

Starling45 said:

Thank you all for your comments. HMRC say they sent me two payments but I can prove from my bank statement I have never received them. The letter states that they were 'incorrect repayments' from my national insurance number.

Still half a story. Was it Self Assessment repayments or P800? What was the method of repayment, BACS or payable order. Have you ever had an agent acting on your behalf.

Starling45

I am attaching a photo of the letter to show their exact words. 

mybestattempt

Not exactly a comprehensive or well written letter but, my guess is you had at least two jobs in 2018/19.


Your employment record for one was held under your correct National Insurance number and a repayment of tax made on the basis that was your only job in 2018/19.

The employment record for the other job was held under a different and temporary National Insurance number and another repayment was made on the basis that was your only job in 2018/19.

When HMRC found your correct National Insurance number for the other job and they added the income for both jobs together and calculated the tax due and found you should not have been repaid any tax for 2018/19.

I'm puzzled about your reference to self assessment, did you actually complete a self assessment return for 2018/19 which included all your jobs in that tax year or did you receive a simp!e assessment? 

uknick

I'd have thought proving you'd never received the June 2019 refund would be easy if those are your bank account details.  I don't really accept their argument it could be held in a suspense account if the bank details are correct. Having said that, it's more than likely you'll need the bank to confirm in writing they don't have it.

If you can prove that, it shows their argument is flawed and undermines their claim for the 2nd refund.