Hi sorry new to this site..just got a phone call from hmrc debt management to say I owe W.F.T.C £3000..I wasn't sure what for..as I no longer claim.They referred me back to W.F.T.C who said is was for faliure to hand in my renewal form for 2006-2007...as far as I was aware I had renewed by telephone of which I had a name and date of who I spoke to (of which they have no record)..my tax return for that year has been filed and was correct but I thought it would be good idea to get an accountant to look over what they say I owe to what they paid me in the first place but they have told me that the tax credit office do not have facility to tell me what records they hold of payments made to me. and I will have to request copies of my bank statements..they are sending me a dispute form..but basically said as I missed my dead line there is nothing I can do...it is all so long ago now..I can't remember anything except notes written on tax credit letters..like called on such date spoke to such such...I know that I kept them informed of all changes at work or at my sons child care provisions..my partner was a fulltime student and I have my payslips that show how much I was working..I can't belive that there isn't a way to back up the details in the claim..if this were my tax return or a vat return I would have to provide them with as much imformation as possible and a worst would recieve a fine for late filing/payment..but to be told there is noting I can do and must shut up and put up for money I believe I was entiltiled to???...does an of this sound fmilliar..what should I do..I have 3 children another one on the way a every penny counts...I can't afford £3000..I'm not even sure they paid me in the first place...any advice???anyone????
Don't panic and don't believe all that you have been told about there being nothing you can do. This is a commonly used tactic of HMRC but is rather economical with the truth to be blunt. There is lots you can do and you have started by having a dispute form sent to you. Once you have informed HMRC that you are disputing, any recovery proceedings must cease. You may like to enlist the support of your MP in ensuring this is done, which they can do by contacting HMRC on your behalf.
HMRC must supply you with copies of all correspondence, computer records etc that they hold about your case, also recordings of telephone calls so it is useful that you have a date and name of a person to give them as there will be no excuse for not supplying it, well there shouldn't be although they may well try. To get all this information you need to send in a SARN request, details of how to do this are on the main website under First Things First.
This will give you some breathing space as HMRC is not particularly quick at getting information together and recordings generally take even longer.
You may want to enlist the support of Citizens Advice Bureau and contact your local newspaper if you feel up to it at this stage. It can be a bit daunting to think of your personal matters being splashed all over the local paper but can pay dividends as HMRC is not keen on negative publicity so worth thinking about.
You are not alone so try not to worry. Others will be along to offer you more advice before long I am sure.
Good Luck!! Auntie
"You can dress a pig in a suit but you can't stop it grunting"
Hi Just thought I would put a few words of support. You are not alone and it seems common practice for the Tax Credit Nazi's to use often illegal bullying tactics. I had the same situation when they claimed I had not filed a return. Can I suggest that you send everything via registered post and don't give up the fight, follow the steps outlined on the website. Don't forget to sign the petition and send a link for the site to everyone in your address book, there are lots of people out there that are suffering in silence. All the best.
Red Rocket - you are exactly right! The better we get known, the more people come forward. It's easy for HMRC and the government to pretend all's well when people are struggling on their own. Please ALL spread the word! A catchier link to our website is www.taxCC.org and this will be far easier to remember - and to pass on. So let's do just that!
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is…the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
help and advice please
Posted - 27/02/2008 : 21:19:45
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 18:02:59
