Interest reported twice

[Deleted User]

I helped my Dad with his simple assessment for the 24/25 tax year (due to savings interest as well as state pension). He paid the bill in October 2025. Today a letter turned up saying he needed to fill in a self assessment for the tax year 24/25. The interest was under £10,000 so I was led to believe it was a simple assessment not self. We called HMRC today and it turns out NS&I reported the interest twice. HMRC can't amend it, we have to send statement from NS&I and then ask for it to be actioned then once that's done ring self assessment and ask for him to be removed. If it's someone else's mistake why do we have to do all the running around? Is he likely to get a late fine even though it's not his mistake? The letter said fill in a self assessment by 31st January 2026 or 3 months from the date of the notice letter (2/4/26).

ladruid

"If it's someone else's mistake why do we have to do all the running around?"
Because you're a number and the government doesn't care…

Yes, you will get a fine if you don't fill in the assessment by the date given, BUT if they made the mistake you have good grounds to appeal and win.

I once got a fine for "late" filing of a self assessment, I had sent it in time but it arrived late. Lucky I sent it through 1st class signed for post, so had dated proof it was sent before the deadline and it should have reasonably got there on time, so appealed the fine as the late filing was not within my control, and won.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81955502#Comment_81955502

But if what the op says is true and her dad genuinely doesn't meet the criteria for a Self Assessment return the better option would be to ask HMRC to withdraw the notice to file the return.

That also avoids the potential problem of getting the tax paid against the Simple Assessment (which would need to be cancelled if a tax return was filed) moved to the Self Assessment account.

I think a little bit of work by the op now would save a lot more work if the filing the return route was taken.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, I'm just concerned about how quickly (or slowly) they are at resolving things. The advisor did say don't fill the self assessment in but I don't know if I should trust their advice. He did add that we can get them to withdraw the notice but not until the error has been corrected.