Tax Problems

Glyn_r36

I have a tax issue at the moment, which seems the HMRC don't seem to bothered about sorting it out for me.
I had a letter at the start of Novemeber 2007 stating
Your tax code for the year 6 April 2007 to 5 April 2008 is BR.
To which I found quite strange, as I've been in my current job since September 2005, so I called them up asking them why it had changed. To which I was told 'it's your employer'.

So I went off to payroll to see if they could shed some light on the situation, they were none the wiser on why it had changed, so another call and I'm then told I didn't had in a P45 when I started this job (this is by the tax office) which myself and pay roll are 100% certian was done, the tax office then said I should fill out a P46, which was then sent off, this would have been Mid-Late November.

I gave it a few weeks and called up to see if it had been rectified, and asking them why it had been changed, and who the employer was (My brother had also recently changed jobs, which BR is generally used for for a period, or so I read. and had also been on BR, we share the same First initial, no middle names, same address, and our NI numbers are the same apart from the last digit and the letter at the end. Could it be possible its a case of mistaken identity). It seemed they blatantly ignored my question when I asked what company had changed the code/sent the data for it to be changed in, I was also told my P46 would not have yet been processed.

So I left it over chirstmas untill today, gave them another call and this time they seemed to start been a bit more helpful, but still when I asked who and why it changed it seemed like I was talking in some alien language they didn't seem to hear it.

What is there I can do to get them to sort it out/at least listen and answer my questions.
Am I best now putting a formal complaint in?
Could my Union at work be any help?
Would CAB be able to give me any help?
I'm currently £120+ a down (4Weekly), effectivly wiping out my recent pay rise.

Sorry if its a bit long and rant like, but I feel its better for you to know the whole story.

Hoddie_2

Sounds like HMRC haven't been very helpful. For you to have received a coding notice at the beginning of November that relates your current job, HMRC must have received information from your employer that you started working for them - either a P45 or a P46.

One of the following things has happened:
- The P45 you handed in had code BR on it
- The P45 was from the previous tax year or there was a lengthy gap in employment (I think this is 10 weeks but not sure) - your employer should have asked you to complete P46 in this case
- HMRC had reason to believe you had another source of income (perhaps JSA or a pension)
- Your employer lost the P45 so instead sent on a P46 without asking you to complete your section - in this case HMRC has no option but to assume it is a second source of income (as you haven't signed to declare otherwise)
- Your employer submitted the P45 electronically and they did so incorrectly or there was a technical issue
- P45 was fine but the personal details on there didn't match the details held for you (possibly as you say a mix-up between yourself and your brother) - this is the most likely if the Coding Notice you received doesn't quote your correct National Insurance number
- There's been a genuine !!!!-up by HMRC

This list isn't exhaustive but does cover the most likely scenarios. You may find that the P46 you completed in November might sort things out, but I'd recommend writing to HMRC confirming when/where you have worked since April 2007. Mention any periods of unemployment and whether or not you claimed JobSeekers or Incapacity Benefit.

Glyn_r36

I'll try that then, Any reason why it could change 2 years into a job though? I'd been paying the right amount of tax according to my code (and my co-workers), then all of a sudden changes.

Hoddie_2

Glyn_r36 wrote: »

I'll try that then, Any reason why it could change 2 years into a job though? I'd been paying the right amount of tax according to my code (and my co-workers), then all of a sudden changes.

Oh sorry, missed the bit that you'd been there a while. The mix-up likely does relate to your brother's recent change of employment then.

Any chance you can ask him to check what National Insurance number is being quoted on his pay slips? If it's your number and his employer recently sent a P46 stating he had started work with them, but quoted your number by mistake, HMRC will believe his new employer is actually your new employer, and that your existing employment is now a secondary job.

Glyn_r36

Thanks, why they wouln't tell me that I won't know at times it seems running into a brick wall will be better.
I'll get him to go through his payslips to check.

Would the P46 I sent off still remedy the problem? Or is there a different course of action I'd need to take?
Just that since this started I've 'lost' £500+ and I've financial commitments to meet, and It's pretty much starting to financially cripple me.

Hoddie_2

Once sorted they should be able to allow your employer to make the repayment on their behalf. The P46 you did recently might just confuse things further. Any chance you could call HMRC when both you and your brother is present (for security reasons). Otherwise you'll have to resort to putting it in writing.