Does anybody here know much about HMRC/Tax? Help needed...

ProPoser wrote:

ProPoser wrote:I don't know what's gone on with them this year, but I think they've lost the plot.

I ceased to be self-employed in August 2012. They asked me last year for a self-assessment for y/e April 2014. I called them and explained it wasn't necessary. They asked a load of questions, and then agreed with me that I wouldn't need to self-assess. Luckily I took a reference number for this conversation, because they fined me for failing to do the self-assessment.

I whinged about this on Facebook and had several people saying they had the same problem. Thing is, I need to pay the fine anyway, for them to refund it, with interest. Is this really a sensible use of resources?

Update: I had a letter (AKA: the final straw) from HMRC, sent to my OLD address (their records have been updated with my new one), asking me to fill in a tax return for 14-15. Despite the fact I've appealed against the 13-14 self assessment request and subsequent fine, and told them twice (same conversation both times) that I don't need to self-assess.

So, I called them again. 40 minutes on hold. This time I actually spoke to someone who seemed to be useful and know his stuff. This appears to absolutely pot luck. Like the previous two people, he agreed with everything I was saying and I made him promise to get me something in writing.

Two week son, I got a letter confirming the SA requests had been with drawn, the fine overturned, and then the next day I got the cheque back. £100 fine returned, and £0.07 in interest


It's times like this you realise that there are probably loads of good people at HMRC, who basically spend their entire lives fighting against the archaic systems of their employer and the incompetency of their colleagues.

ProPoser wrote:

ProPoser wrote:I don't know what's gone on with them this year, but I think they've lost the plot.

I ceased to be self-employed in August 2012. They asked me last year for a self-assessment for y/e April 2014. I called them and explained it wasn't necessary. They asked a load of questions, and then agreed with me that I wouldn't need to self-assess. Luckily I took a reference number for this conversation, because they fined me for failing to do the self-assessment.

I whinged about this on Facebook and had several people saying they had the same problem. Thing is, I need to pay the fine anyway, for them to refund it, with interest. Is this really a sensible use of resources?

Update: I had a letter (AKA: the final straw) from HMRC, sent to my OLD address (their records have been updated with my new one), asking me to fill in a tax return for 14-15. Despite the fact I've appealed against the 13-14 self assessment request and subsequent fine, and told them twice (same conversation both times) that I don't need to self-assess.

So, I called them again. 40 minutes on hold. This time I actually spoke to someone who seemed to be useful and know his stuff. This appears to absolutely pot luck. Like the previous two people, he agreed with everything I was saying and I made him promise to get me something in writing.

Two week son, I got a letter confirming the SA requests had been with drawn, the fine overturned, and then the next day I got the cheque back. £100 fine returned, and £0.07 in interest


It's times like this you realise that there are probably loads of good people at HMRC, who basically spend their entire lives fighting against the archaic systems of their employer and the incompetency of their colleagues.

Dangerblade wrote:

Drumstick wrote:Is it possible to get copies of your tax records from HMRC for the last 3 years or so?