HMRC - What does this mean ???

cinzano

Had a visit yesterday from HMRC to levy a dstraint on my goods and assets.
As I was out at work they left me a note explaining if I do not make the payment to them in full - which is impossible and I have an appointment to go BR on 27th June, and if when they call again without prior notice and I am
not available, they will levy distraint against me in my absence. What does this mean, can they break into my home to take my goods?

maxmycardagain

just the same with me

mine was £9000

3 visits later they took out a ccj, but ive gone BR so they can whistle

HMRC collectors have the same powers as court baillifs though

ring them, fob em off, say youve something to send them (even a payment) and go BR as planned on the 27th, send them a copy of the BR and wish them a happy christmas

fiveyearplan

Hi Cinzano, Did they leave you any time scale? Can you phone them and put them off, promise payment in 3 weeks or something. Tell them you have some money coming in on 30th June and will be able to pay it in full on that date. Do anything you can to stall them.

Good luck.

fermi

There is some good info in this link. Worth reading through.

Link: Distraint

There is also a section with other information on tax debts here: Tax debt

fiveyearplan

Max, looks like our posts crossed, I agree, fob them off until the end of the month.

fermi

fiveyearplan wrote: »

Max, looks like our posts crossed, I agree, fob them off until the end of the month.

Looks like everyone's did.

maxmycardagain

best of it is my bill was for a period of self employment, when i wasnt self employed, my accountant wants paying for doing it for me, i hope hes not banking on the money either.

maxmycardagain

the first HMRC colector who visited me tricked his way in too, said i was expecting him, so be on your guard, and get BR asap.

cinzano

Thanks everyone - fermi, I will look at the link you sent. There is no timescale but am going to ring them on Monday and try and buy some time. I know the 27th isn't far away but everyday feels like a week at the moment, dont know how I would get through it without this site and your brillaint advice.

fiveyearplan

Fermi - thanks for that thread, it makes interesting (scary!) reading.

JPS29

This was the straw that broke the camels back and pushed me quicker to BR.
I had exactly the same, HMRC turn up to levy goods/distraint for £15k self assessment debt.

Ring the number on the form they left you (prob debt management section). I told them that I was shocked they had turned up at my home and now fully understand how serious this is. I informed them that if they could give me 14 days I would "settle" this debt once and for all. The person i spoke to was very arrogant "how will you do that etc" Just informed them that I would explore all options open to me, remortgaging, secured loans, full assessment of my finances. This was enough for them to put a hold on it. I then asked her to confirm that no one else would call in this timescale as it would cause considerable distress to my OH. She agreed.

10 days later I rang back and spoke to the same woman and settled the debt in full.......... with my BR order and my OR details (would have loved to seen her face:cool: )