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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
 Posted - 25/02/2009 : 09:12:22
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I have taken lots of advice from this site. Followed the dispute process, copied letter templates,and followed it step by step. Without the help and knowledge from this site, I wouldn't have had the strength and the knowledge to have "come back" at the scum called TCO! So firstly, Thank you everyone who "runs" this website, may you continue to do so!
My story is a very long one, so I will just pick out the important bits.
I received letters for O/P totalling £6000. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I had followed and called in when was required, never lied or fabricated stories. I was a totally honest citizen just doing what the govt wanted me to do. Claim family credits! so I did. In my naivity. If I had realised that it would come to this then I wouldn't have bothered! Anyhow. The first I was aware of this was when I received a letter from the dept which deals with getting the money back. So I had a payment slip with what I allegedly owed. I called up and was given so much conflicting advice form advisors that there wasn't one person who gave me the same information! In the end it was me who looked up this website, and through this I was able to follow the required steps. I sent off my dispute form, only to be told 6 months later, when I received further demands for money, that they hadn't received it... funny that I had the recorded delivery slips that suggested otherwise... so I had to do it all over again. Anyhow this went on. I found errors, I called them, I went to higher customer support, I found other errors. I being the appropriate word here. Not the TCO finding my errors ME! Eventually after months and months of calls and sleepless nights I got to find out where the allegedly O/P was from. I allegedly had called up to say that my husband and I had split up.. well he was in my bed when I awoke that morning, so where this had come from was a farce! So once I knew this I really got stuck into them. I contacted my MP, I wrote letter after letter after letter. I lost that many nights sleep worrying. Not to mention the fact my father was undergoing tests for asbestos related disease, and my husband didn't have any work coming in! so as you can imagine I was at rock bottom. But determined to fight this all the way. I could go on and on but it would take me forever! I sent paperwork to the Higher Support group asking them to look at my printouts and to listen to my CD so that they can hear what is said to me over the years. I sent this in Oct 28th 08, and they replied back to me 3 weeks later saying that the payment was still correct and I had to pay... but how could they have done all that in 3 weeks time? it didn't seem right to me. So I called and spoke to some idiot who didn't even have a clue about the errors, the reason why I was disputing, or the fact I had evidence saying I had called to ask why it was on my computer notes I had left my husband! When I had never made such a call. I was told to yet again put it in writing and we can look at it. So another dispute form to be filled in. They were obviously getting ready for the christmas holidays so was easier to pass the buck!
I asked SARN for my computer printouts and CD that same day. They sent me the paperwork within 40 days, but to this day I am still awaiting the CD!So how did they manage to do all this and get back to me within 3 weeks? I was correct in my way of thinking it wasn't done correctly in the first place. Then my MP got involved. I was so annoyed. He said I was the "hundreth" person to ask hin for help and he said he was aware of the situation facing people. But how far can they go to get involved, or do they want to or have the time to? Anyhow Dec 10th 08 I sent more letters, more proof, another dispute form with more info, as I was told they didn't have the original! I got a letter back saying that they would get back in touch with me by Feb 9th 09! To this date they haven't!
After looking at my printouts I had 23 summaries all stating Alert.. family breakdown! and 5 where the actual drop down box has been ticked stating this. Why? It isn't as if it is the first box to tick, it is about 5 boxes down.So this doesn't justify someone hitting that box as a mistake! it had to be opened and then 5 boxes down ticked! It states that the advisor gave advice. But it doesn't show what advice. I could give advice to a farmer on how to raise sheep! then write gave advice. But I haven't a bloody clue! So that is stupid. But I have the evidence there that someone has inputted the incorrect data.
My question to you now I have waffled on, sorry, is this:
I haven't received my CD and obviously on there will be the exact advice I was given "vocally". Not the written" gave advice". But I haven't received this. Do I keep ringing them to ask for it?
Secondly. We have to do all correspondence with TCO within a timescale as TOC26, but they told me they would get back to me by Feb 9th and they haven't I am still awaiting this. So does this not breach their COP26?
They asked me for payment although I was in dispute.. again breach of COP26, but they won't admit ownership of that as they say I wasn't in dispute. When I have proof with my computer printouts that they had received this!
What do I do now? Do I just sit here and wait for them to contact me? Do I get in contact with my MP telling him they haven't replied within their timescales? Do I contact the TCO and open a new can of worms? What? It is like sitting on a ticking time bomb!
Do I keep the new error finding for when they do get back in touch with me, so I can "fire" at them again?
I hope I haven't waffled on, but it is such a release to speak about it!
Cheers x
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missfroy2
Rank; Captain Gordon
236 Posts |
 Posted - 25/02/2009 : 11:18:57
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Hi
Sorry I don't have time to read all of that in detail at the minute as I am just heading out, but I did skim read.
In relation to the breach of COP 26 by not suspending your recovery whilst in dispute, it depends on what steps you took.
I know some of the guidance on this site says to file a dispute and then go to a tier 2 complaint.
HMRC policy is that they will only suspend recovery during a dispute (or secondary dispute). If you then went on to complaint, technically they don't suspend recovery during complaints. You can sometimes get debt management to put a hold on while you sort out the complaint, but I think that is more the exception from tax credit claimants I have spoken to.
When you say you sent it to higher support group? was that the tier 2 complaints?
MF2 |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2009 : 13:23:41
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Thank you.
The higher support was the customer support group. Who don't do as the job description states!  I am in second tier dispute, with the understanding that my MP has got involved and asked them to stop hassling for repayment and to get it sorted. This they said thay were doing in their last correspondence to me. They said they would have a reply and answer by Feb 9th 09. But to date I haven't heard a thing.(can I just state, also, that after my first tier dispute and they said I had to pay as I hadn't adhered to COP26...more like a COP out!... when I rang to ask how they had came to this decision when I was indeed in dispute and awaiting SAR and my MP. I was told I didn't have a next step, my next step was that I had to pay. After a few harsh words I was given the adjudicators number to call. He was numb as to why I had been given his number and when I quoted my ref, it was indeed he who told me I was in Tier 1 and I hadn't exhausted all the revenues before he got involved. This again was wrong information given by so called trained staff from TCO!)This moment in time my MP is involved, The customer support group. I have complained and I am still waiting. Can they not reply by their stated dates and get away with it? If we did this and didn't reply within 30days we are penalised.
Thanks for your reply. |
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TCC Webmaster
Da Purple one
Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
129 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2009 : 15:00:44
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Hi Shelley,
It's one of the most frustrating things about trying to deal with HMRC - they give victims 28 days to pay, under threat of legal proceedings, but we can wait for months (and even years) for a response from them!
We have learned that HMRC sign for recorded delivery letters in bulk - probably by whichever of the clerks is in the post room at the time! Because of the ever reducing staff levels and the crisis management at HMRC, there are an estimated 800,000 to 1 million letters lying, unopened, in post rooms. It's not suprising that many letters, forms etc. go 'missing'.
Yes, they do get away with missing their deadlines for replying. I waited two years for a reply to one of my letters - and they only still have to respond to about another eight!
Regarding your data that is missing, I would recommend that you write to the Data Protection Officer, also seperately copied to the team that is currently dealing with your dispute/complaint, stating that data is missing and that you give them a further 14/28 days to send it to you.
You could also complain to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), either straight away (because they are required to fulfill your SARN within 40 days), or after the extended period that you grant them. I have had a complaint lodged with the ICO since July 2008, still with no decision from them - so be aware that it could be 8 months or more for the ICO to deal with it.
Also, if and when you receive your CD, don't be suprised if the only call that is missing is the one that proves you right and incriminates HMRC. Under the tax legislation that applies to Tax Credits, they are permitted to do that - and often do.
Others will be along to give you more advice soon. We're a bit busy at the moment with TV and promotional stuff, so please don't worry if it's a couple of days.
You'll see from my signature below that we have a campaign just started on LabourSpace. Can I ask for your permission to post your story on both our LabourSpace campaign blog and our own blog please? Obviously, I'll omit anything not relevant, and protect your anonimity.
And who is your MP please?
Best of luck!!
Make change happen!!
Support our 'Justice is an Amnesty' campaign on the Labour website 'LabourSpace'
Register and vote at http://www.labourspace.com/view_campaign?CampaignId=125
The original 'point & click' interface was a Smith & Wesson !! |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2009 : 15:10:19
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Yes, please feel free to use my story. It is more in depth than I actually put on here. But I seriously would have been on here for hours writing the problems!
Thank you for your reply, it really helps knowing I am not alone.
My MP is Elfyn Llwyd, and I have had letters from him and have spoken with him personally.
I will now write to the Information Commisioners Office and start the "next ball rolling" Thank you. |
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TCC Webmaster
Da Purple one
Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
129 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2009 : 15:22:19
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Thanks for a quick reply.
Thought that you might like to know that we have a Regional co-ordinator for Wales. If you want, you can get in touch with her at Janet@TaxCC.org .
Cheers!
Make change happen!!
Support our 'Justice is an Amnesty' campaign on the Labour website 'LabourSpace'
Register and vote at http://www.labourspace.com/view_campaign?CampaignId=125
The original 'point & click' interface was a Smith & Wesson !! |
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samthe
Rank; Private Primate
187 Posts |
Posted - 26/02/2009 : 20:46:33
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It's clearly vital that you get the CD of the call where they allege you told them you had split from your husband. Of course, it may be that there is no recording of it - they did not (& I think still do not) record all calls. If there is no recording then they will be relying entirely on what someone put on the computer system. The difficulty you will have is that (unless something truly extraordinary occurred) someone must have accessed your computer record to make that entry.
There is also the fact that what should have happened after the alleged split was that your couple claim should have been terminated and you should have been issued with a new award notice as a single claimant - i.e. without any information on it about your husband. Did you get any such award notices? If so, what did you do about them, as you would be expected to have checked them and queried any errors?
I suggest that, as well as writing to ICO you write again to the Tax Credit Data Protection people chasing up the CD. |
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Ali M-W
Da Tech(y ones)
3296 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2009 : 07:43:10
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Hi Shelley - thanks for joining us here and for keeping strong and fighting on. If HMRC cannot produce a CD of your calls, how can they prove that your account of events is incorrect? We have now reached a position where lack of evidence is no longer seen as evidence against a claimant, and if calls are lost, HMRC has agreed to take this into consideration and not simply now maintain that they were never made or that the conversation was entirely different. So don't despair if HMRC cannot (or will not?) produce call recordings - just keep complaining and telling them exactly whatdid take place. A good place to go is to the ICO, as Smthe says, but also to your MP.
If your MP has had so many people bringing tax credit problems to him that requests are now hovering around a hundred, then I imagine that he will have some empathy for victims and masy be prepared to do a bit more than just pen the odd letter to HMRC supporting what you have already told them. So what may be helpful is to actually book to see him, bringing some of the letters and evidence of HMRC errors and unhelpfulness that you have. Please ask him not just about your own case - although of course that is your main concern - but about the whole tax credit situation, and tell him you belong to the Tax Credit Casualties and that we are eager to see an Amnesty for all non-fraudulent overpayments. By all means direct him to www.taxCC.org to have a look around. We have this ridiculous situation where a benefit in all but name is administered under harsh tax law and treated like an unpaid tax when bungling officials get it wrong! Other benefits, if spent in good faith by honest people, are written off when mishandled, and tax credits should be too. Our government has always avoided giving any account of the costs involved in recovering overpayments against the costs of writing them off, yet everyone knows that recovering money from those who don't have it and cannot see how they could ever be deemed at fault is a lost cause, even without the profound misery caused. They don't want you to know that recovery is all about smoke and mirrors, creating the illusion that claimants are in the wrong and are being punished. It is purely punitive and done to protect reputations, for with any write-off there will need to be admissions by this government that tax credits were not handled well. And that is why banks get money, but the poorest of the poor just get debts and court threats. A national disgrace, isn't it?
Sorry to rant, but your MP needs to know this. He can ask questions in the house and request debates. He can get Freedon of Information questions answered, if he has the knack of asking the right questions(usually the government will just refer to earlier answers or say that the information doesn't exist and will cost a disproportionate amount to find out - a nice handy get-out clause). He can raise and sign Early Day Motions. He can talk to, and write formally to, Ministers. You could even see if he could write to Stephen Timms, Financial Secretary to the treasury, and ask him to meet with Tax Credit Casualties! I won't hold my breath, however, as we've been requesting a meeting for years.
What your MP is prepared to do depends on his party andf his person integrity. You may be lucky enough to find a Labour Mp really willing to help, but unfortunately it is usually the Opposition MPs who really put their fingers out to get results.
However, you can but try. Jon Cruddas and Dave Anderson have been supportive. And once Labour MPs really get to learn of the injustices and the damage this is doing to Labour's reputation, we will gradually see a greater willingness to help and to challenge the status quo.
Good luck!
Trinity: No one has ever done anything like this.
Neo: That's why it's going to work.
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
 Posted - 01/03/2009 : 13:06:11
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Thank you all so much for your replies. They really do help.
I have called the Data protection place and was told that my calls were taking a while to gather, as they had to be collected from over 10 call centres. I received the paperwork within 40 days, but as I said no CD. I have asked that they sort this out and have given them 2 weeks. I will now write to me MP with an update to where I am and what or should I say isn't being done!
In the meantime, my hubby has hardly any work, and we are now living by our incomings which are going out as quickly as they come in! I work for my hubby but since Dec I won't take a wage as we can't afford to do this. I have NOT called TCO to inform them of our financial state as I donot want further involvement with them, which most probably would incur a repayment again!They have looked at my husbands earnings from last year and calculated this year as the same... how wrong are they! We have stopped our workforce and I am working for nothing. My predicament is do I ring and tell them, or do I just ignore them and hope they go away! I donot want any further involvement with them. Although now they probably owe us!
As for the call suppposedly made from me to tell them we had split! I picked that up when they did send the change form. I called that day, I have a name, date and time of call. I was even told by that advisor " that no such call had been made" by me and he had no idea where it had come from! But they still have carried it through as an overpayment! All it says on the printout was "advice given" like I said before I can give write "advice given" but it doesn't mean I have given the bloody correct advice. I even called after I had received my printouts to ask in what circumstances would a "household breakdown" be used and was tole when you have split from a partner or have moved in with a partner, as I have done neither it amazes me. All I can think is that my notes have been accessed wrongly. Plus I have proof that my notes have been accessed when I haven't called as I have 3 copies where someone has altered my address. The spelling of it. I never called in the day it was changed??? Plus it seems that someone has realised that they have only changed my address when we moved and not my husbands to the same address, then realsied that they had made a mistake and have gone back in to correct this. This is where I am 100% sure the error has occured.
I used to work in a call centre as a manager, so have always taken names and dates and times, so fortunately for me I have that to go by.
There are so many conflicting advice given from advisors that I need the CD to prove that I have been told on numerous occasions.. that A) I don't have to pay back. B) It is their error... i was actually told that by an advisor.. again I need the CD C) The letter I had received means nothing.. put it to one side as the computer must be out of date and it hasn't been cleared. I have also been given wrong numbers to call, write to. The list is endless.
But I will fight this... They will not and I cannot pay back this money. I just don't have it and I will fight them every bit of the way.
Thsnks to you I have the knowledge and strength to do so
Thank you all.
x |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2009 : 13:08:51
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Plus I have never received any paperwork where I have been the only person on the form. Everything I have is in our joint names.
I have never given that a thought. That is another point I need to raise when they do get back in touch! I have lots of other errors waiting in the pipeline that they will get as a reply.
Thank you |
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samthe
Rank; Private Primate
187 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 20:32:31
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It sounds like you are in dire straits for money, & that your joint income for 08-09 will be a lot less than the 07-08 figure TCO are using. You can either leave this until the annual renewal is done - when they will recalculate based on the lower income & should make a lump sum payment, or you can notify them now of your estimated income for 08-09. If you do the latter, they should issue an amended award notice & increase your payments.
But you need to be careful. If you think things will improve in 09-10 then your income that year may be higher than 08-09 & you could end up with an overpayment unless you keep them up to date with realistic estimates.
None of this should have any effect on the dispute. |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 11:14:31
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I have received my CD's today. It is amazing how quickly they can collect from 10 call centres when they need to eh! Just looking at my notes with dates and times I can see at least one call I made in Dec to change my income, not on the call sheet! This call is needed to prove that I called and changed my figures as they said I didn't. Infact I did, and they failed to start my claim with the said figures but continued to use the wrong figures. If that makes sense. Their mistake I think.Plus I have paper evidence dated 5 days after my call with the changes I had called to make on it!
There is proof that they had received my appeal form in Aug, when I posted in June, and was told in Dec 2008 that there was no such notes suggesting that they had received anything and to send a TC846 again! I now have berbal and paper proof that this was incorrect.They did have my appeal form.
I am just ploughing through them now just to see if what I have written down with names and times the same as the conversation. There are 3 or 4 conversations I need to listen to as they are the ones where they admit errors and give me the information which led to my overpayment. Wish me luck. I shall pop back on and let you know how I get on. I shall also be writing to my MP to keep him up to date with what is happening and will mention this site and ask he takes a look at the injustice. Speak soon x |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 19:01:47
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Well what a surprise. I have listened to my calls and most match my notes. But the call from Dec 5th which proves I gave them corrected figures which they didn't correct and continued to calculate by the incorrect figures, is missing! There is nothing on the CD's which says I called to say we had split up. There is lots of confusing information. So much so the one day I called 5 times to clarify and sort stuff, and still noone explained how the O/P happened.
I have now been told the O/P was caused by
A) Not giving correct info by 31st Jan... but I did in Dec 5th. The missed call!!!!!!!
B) I rang and told them that I had split with my husband
C) Not repling to a claim when I did, but I was not told I had apparently an old claim and a new claim so the information was only inputted on one claim not both! I was unaware I had 2 claims and I tell them this on the CD.
It is clear by the calls I have made that I have been given confusing advice and that the advice has altered by advisor.
I have printouts which show "Household Breakdown" as a drop down box, ticked. 5 Times!!! but not one call says this.
I have been told I only owe one O/P and to disregard the other! This is proof on the CD.
The whole thing is beyond a joke!
What do I do now. Do I wait for them to contact me with the dispute result and then throw at them this new findings, or do I write a letter now and continue fighting before they reply?
Plus do I tell them that our earnings have dropped drastically. or not.
How do I stop any contact with them for future claims... or is it compulsory.
My head is spinning, going for a glass of wine now. I have been listening to recordings for 5 hours!!!!!
Thanks everyone x |
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TCC Webmaster
Da Purple one
Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
129 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 19:44:22
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quote:
Also, if and when you receive your CD, don't be suprised if the only call that is missing is the one that proves you right and incriminates HMRC. Under the tax legislation that applies to Tax Credits, they are permitted to do that - and often do.
Hey! They've done it again. What a suprise! This happens far too often to be coincidence ....
Keep at it, Shelley. Don't let them win!
I've found that if I treat it as a game that I simply have to win, it all becomes a little bit less stressful.
One day, we'll have them. I promise.
Make change happen!!
Support our 'Justice is an Amnesty' campaign on the Labour website 'LabourSpace'
Register and vote at http://www.labourspace.com/view_campaign?CampaignId=125
The original 'point & click' interface was a Smith & Wesson !! |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 11:07:40
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What do I do now. Do I wait for them to contact me with the dispute result and then throw at them this new findings, or do I write a letter now and continue fighting before they reply?
Plus do I tell them that our earnings have dropped drastically. or not.
How do I stop any contact with them for future claims... or is it compulsory.
Any answers please? I have a total of 5 calls missing which proves inconsistency from TCO! I shall call Monday to Data and get this chased up. Today I am writing to Gordon Brown and Her Maj! x |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 12:12:10
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Here is the letter to Her Majesty and Gordon Brown. Bit long, but I had to have a rant!
Her Majesty The Queen.
Gordon Brown PM.
CC Elfyn Llwyd MP
Your Majesty and Mr Brown,
I have had to write to you as I have had yet another sleepless night . This is all to do with the constant harassment I am getting from The Tax Credit Overpayment.
This has been going on now for over 2 years and has caused me so many sleepless nights and worry I am now constantly at the doctors with ill health.
The TCO say that I have to pay back money, which I have proved to them is an error on their behalf time and time again. I have sent endless dispute forms, which I have proof of postage, and still they say I haven’t sent them anything. I have been in dispute and still been hassled for Notice To Pay, which is against the COP26 as set by HMRC. I have proof they have breached this on numerous occasions. The constant bullying and hassle off TCO to give back this money is endless. They even said that I had called to say I had left my husband. I have never called to say that! On my printouts I have, there are 5 printouts that show the drop down box had been ticked to say this! But there is not one bit of evidence on my CD’s to indicate this. This is just one of many errors that have come to life since I contacted them last.
I have all my paperwork and letters in order. I have enclosed the letters I have sent to them for your attention. I have never deceived them or given false information and I have verbal and written proof that I have indeed called so many times to try and sort this out, but to this day it isn’t sorted. I am still awaiting a reply! Months after they said they would sort it.
We have to contact the TCO within certain timescales for our disputes to be void and although we are told by the advisors that there is a 4/8 week timescale for return correspondence. This is indeed taking up to 2 years to get back! The worry and constant presence of this hanging over the family causes so much heartache and arguments and stress, when it isn’t needed. The financial state of the country at the moment is a big worry, without the worry of whether we are having to find thousands that have allegedly been given out incorrectly.
We are asked information from advisors, we give that information and then we find we are in dire straits for doing so. If you look at my letters to TCO you can see the conflicting advice given from the trained staff working for Your Majesty and the Government.
There is a website I came across, called Tax Credit Casualties, where there are numerous innocent people like me, who are all having the same problems with HMRC and TCO. If you would like to take a look at the website and read , it is http://familytaxcredit.forumco.com/ and just see just how many people are having the same problems then you will see that this is indeed a major problem for this Labour Govt, and I am sure Mr Brown, you wouldn’t like this to go against such Labour Govt to cause so many people to vote elsewhere. But from reading over thousands of letters on this website I am certain this will happen.
It is also apparent that everyone is being penalised and all have been given the same excuse for the overpayments as “ you breached COP26” when the truth is when we delve into all the calls and printouts we request, there is no such breach, and there are indeed errors caused by the HMRC TCO.
Which leads me to:
When there is a request for overpayment we have to prove why we think we don’t have to pay. We are then literally doing the job for HMRC TCO staff. If you think of it logically this is what we are doing. I have got my calls and paperwork data from SARN and have spent days…yes days looking through and correcting errors upon errors that have been caused by ill advised advisors.
I have sent of numerous letters to my MP and you both, and TCO. This is all work which I am doing, not TCO. I have just spent 2 days listening to my calls, and further to these calls have collated 2 pages, 2 sided A4 paper of further inconsistencies. I have taken notes, matching this to what notes I had taken at the time of these calls. I was advised by The Tax Credit Casualties website, of which I am a member, not to be surprised if the calls I made which were important to my case were not recorded or missing. I gave this the benefit of the doubt, but, they were correct. I have 5 calls missing where I was given incorrect information. So it seems I have joined the fashion and the army of thousands of people and have lost calls where relevant to the case.
As you can see this whole Tax Credit is a shambles. It doesn’t work for Self employed people, who cannot give figures in before said set dates. Who are then advised to “guess a figure” which then results in a massive overpayment request.
There are advisors who are not efficiently trained to handle these calls, and cannot input data correctly.
There are calls held back from Data, which are important to cases.
Managers give out wrong addresses to where you can complain.
Managers telling you can’t dispute there is no next step… when in fact you are only in Tier 1, and there are lots of resources to follow. The list is endless.
My husband came home yesterday, and told me that he has no forthcoming work now. He is a Self Employed builder and we live in a rural area of Wales. He is travelling 200 miles today to find some work!
The gas and electric monthly bills have risen. I have had to call and get the house valued, but would lose over £100.000 if I sell now. This we cannot afford. He has no work, but the children have to be fed, the bills paid and the mortgage. I was employed by him and I haven’t taken a wage since December 08 so that there is money in the business for bills. I am at the moment scouring The Jobcentre to find jobs for myself so we can live! This is very difficult in a rural area, where jobs are hard to come by.
If he cannot find work, we cannot afford to live. I should feel confident in this Govt to call TCO and tell them this and get financial help, but I am scared to do so, albeit I have to pay it all back in 2/3 years time. So we struggle everyday now to find work and support the family rather than TCO cause us any more stress and heartache by giving us financial help, only to have it taken back.
Then I have the TCO asking me for thousand of pounds, which I haven’t got and can’t pay back and shouldn’t have to pay back as I haven’t made an error!!!!! The whole thing is making my nerves so bad I can’t take anymore.
Perhaps you should realise, when you are sat in the warmth of your plush office Mr Brown, that there are thousands of people out in Great Britain, who are struggling with home life and monies without the constant harassment from HMRC TCO. We do not need it.
I ask for your help, for my case, and for all the other people, who, through no fault of their own find themselves, as I do, in constant stress and worry caused by the inadequacy of The Tax Credit Office. |
Edited by - Shelley on 07/03/2009 12:13:07 |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2009 : 08:35:31
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What do I do now. Do I wait for them to contact me with the dispute result and then throw at them this new findings, or do I write a letter now and continue fighting before they reply?
Plus do I tell them that our earnings have dropped drastically. or not.
How do I stop any contact with them for future claims... or is it compulsory. I don't know what to do??? |
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Ali M-W
Da Tech(y ones)
3296 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2009 : 21:54:17
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Hi Shelley,
Great letter. Fancy sending it to the Sun? I could see a columnist printing it.
Please vote to bring our 'Justice is an Amnesty' campaign to the government’s attention, and ask all your friends to do the same!
http://www.labourspace.com/view_campaign?CampaignId=125
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2009 : 12:45:46
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| Hi everyone. I am sorry to be a nuisance again! I told you that I had some calls missing. Well today I have received a letter from SARN stating that " I have examined your case and can advise that we have already supplied all the data to which you are entitled to under the terms of this Act. I have contacted TCO and they have confirmed that no calls are held for the dates you have provided" But I KNOW that these calls were made as I had written down dates and times and what I was advised. They have given me the address of The Information Commissioner, and to go on line and request an assessment. Can you please tell me why I have to do this and what are they to do with TCO or SARN.How can I prove these calls if they say they don't exist? I am sorry to ask but I am not well and I can't think straight today. Cheers. Michelle x |
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Shelley
Rank; Hector Tax Inspector
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2009 : 09:55:21
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Hi everyone. I am sorry to be a nuisance again! I told you that I had some calls missing. Well today I have received a letter from SARN stating that " I have examined your case and can advise that we have already supplied all the data to which you are entitled to under the terms of this Act. I have contacted TCO and they have confirmed that no calls are held for the dates you have provided" But I KNOW that these calls were made as I had written down dates and times and what I was advised. They have given me the address of The Information Commissioner, and to go on line and request an assessment. Can you please tell me why I have to do this and what are they to do with TCO or SARN.How can I prove these calls if they say they don't exist? I am sorry to ask but I am not well and I can't think straight today. Cheers. Michelle x
What do I do now. Do I wait for them to contact me with the dispute result and then throw at them this new findings, or do I write a letter now and continue fighting before they reply?
Plus do I tell them that our earnings have dropped drastically. or not.
How do I stop any contact with them for future claims... or is it compulsory. I don't know what to do???
I am at a standstill as to where to go now. I haven't received a new pack this year, so I presume that they have stopped any involvement with me? Don't the packs usually come out this time of year?
Can I Thank you all again for your help. Without you all I would have just given in, but I am not!! |
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TCC Webmaster
Da Purple one
Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
129 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2009 : 14:41:00
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Hi Shelley,
quote:
... stating that " I have examined your case and can advise that we have already supplied all the data to which you are entitled to under the terms of this Act. I have contacted TCO and they have confirmed that no calls are held for the dates you have provided" But I KNOW that these calls were made as I had written down dates and times and what I was advised
If you've got the dates and times of your calls, and if HMRC now record ALL calls (as they say they do), then the recordings must exist. They state that you've had 'all the data to which you are entitled....'
HMRC are permitted, by law, to withold any information which would prevent them collecting their money. See the news archive for April 2008 on our main site: http://www.taxcc.org/newsarchiveapril2008.htm. The article you want is dated 22 April 2008, and is entitled 'The Data Protection Act and HMRC (Why You Should Worry).
Now it may well be that they're not using these powers, and simply can't find a record of your call in their normal, incompetent way. But at least you now know of a possible reason why ....
By giving you the Information Commissioners details, they are basically saying that they're not going to look any more - and if you don't like it, go complain to the ICO. Which, of course, you should - they can be found on-line at http://www.ico.gov.uk/.
I've had a complaint in with the ICO since last July, and they haven't even looked at it yet! But, I've decided that if HMRC kick-off at me again, I'll tell them that my complaint is with the ICO and they can just wait until he makes a decision. (I can do this because I've got nothing to lose - I have nothing they can take off me, and I don't give a darn about a CCJ if they go down that route).
So yes, complain to the ICO. Stick to your guns about the calls existing and complain to HMRC. Complain to your MP, too. As Alan the Geordie would say, send them enough complaints so that they never run out of paper for the 'nettie'.
The end of year paperwork is sent out after the end of the tax year - you should receive yours somewhere between April and June. It is absolutely vital that you complete and return it. If they don't receive it, the whole of your last years payments become an overpayment!!
If you want to get out of the system, we have an 'I want out' letter template in the April 2008 news archive too (see above). It's at the bottom of the page, and is dated 3 April 2008. You can alter it to suit your circumstances - but there is no guarantee that they will act on it. If they don't, you can complain about that, too!
I've tried to answer all of your questions Shelley, but the one I can't is whether you should inform them of your lower earnings - sorry, but I just don't feel qualified enough to answer that one.
Maybe someone else can give you their tuppence worth!
Best of luck!
Make change happen!!
Support our 'Justice is an Amnesty' campaign on the Labour website 'LabourSpace'
Register and vote at http://www.labourspace.com/view_campaign?CampaignId=125
The original 'point & click' interface was a Smith & Wesson !! |
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Designated Timescales?
