Letter for the Inland Revenue.

I got a letter on Friday from the Inland Revenue, and did'nt have the stones to open it untill today.

To my very great surprise the letter was'nt demanding money, but infact offering my some back. It turn's out that in the tax year 2000 - 2001, I paid too much tax. On the letter I was invited to contact the office in Belfast, if I had any question's. So with a little trepidation, I phoned up to ask about the 'credit on my statement of account'. My inquiry was answered by a 'surprisingly' nice young lady, and after some clarification as to who I was, I was informed ther was a 'substancial' amount of money waiting for me to claim. Anyway, even though it's against the rules for the IR to tell you over the phone how much is waiting to be claimed, I di assertain that there is more than £350, but less than £1000 for me to claim back.

While this is a unexpected windfall, how come I was'nt notified of this before. It's only been 2 years, or so.

[Chris W]

probably because the IR are very keen to collect money that you owe them, but not so keen to give it back when they owe it to you.

Your thread has just reminded me that they still owe me about ฿20 (grr no pound sign on thai keyboard!) from the same tax year but i gave up chasing it up because it was costing me nearly as much in time and phonecalls as i was going to get back!

[Bifta]

The IR are p*ssing me right off at the moment. I'm no longer self employed (and haven't been for this tax year) yet they still want payments on account for 2003-2004, which they can royally cram up their behinds, they don't seem to understand that according to my 2003-2004 tax return they owe me around £375 and that there's nothing outstanding from the 2002-2003 ... I'm surprised their demand wasn't signed by a D. Turpin.

Originally Posted by Bifta

The IR are p*ssing me right off at the moment. I'm no longer self employed (and haven't been for this tax year) yet they still want payments on account for 2003-2004, which they can royally cram up their behinds, they don't seem to understand that according to my 2003-2004 tax return they owe me around £375 and that there's nothing outstanding from the 2002-2003 ... I'm surprised their demand wasn't signed by a D. Turpin.

They certainly are'nt slow demanding the money. The tax year they owe me for I was unlucky enough to get an audit. (shudders at the memory). And they where quick off the mark taking an extra £1,451.01 off me for an under-pay of tax. To be paid in 2 installment, one just before christmas, and the second just before the summer. Which was sweet, cause it emptied my holiday fund that year.

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Earl of Bronze

They certainly are'nt slow demanding the money. The tax year they owe me for I was unlucky enough to get an audit. (shudders at the memory). And they where quick off the mark taking an extra £1,451.01 off me for an under-pay of tax. To be paid in 2 installment, one just before christmas, and the second just before the summer. Which was sweet, cause it emptied my holiday fund that year.

Chances are they'll probably audit me, my tax returns were very straight forward, no expenses, what I took as invoices I also took as salary so it was just a calculation on 1 figure, no doubt that'll raise a little suspicion with them.

Originally Posted by Bifta

Chances are they'll probably audit me, my tax returns were very straight forward, no expenses, what I took as invoices I also took as salary so it was just a calculation on 1 figure, no doubt that'll raise a little suspicion with them.

I remember being told by my accountant that you can expect and audit 'on average', one year in seven. Thank christ I'm not self-employed any more.

[paulyoung666]

best thing i did when i was self employed was get an accountant , money very well spent

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Bifta

The IR are p*ssing me right off at the moment. I'm no longer self employed (and haven't been for this tax year) yet they still want payments on account for 2003-2004, which they can royally cram up their behinds, they don't seem to understand that according to my 2003-2004 tax return they owe me around £375 and that there's nothing outstanding from the 2002-2003 ... I'm surprised their demand wasn't signed by a D. Turpin.

There is a form to fill in (isn;t there always) that allows you to reasses your on account payments. Call and speak to someone. They don't know about the change in circumstance until you tell them.

On a similar thread I managed to overpay my National Insurance by about £1000 a couple of years ago (two overlapping PAYE jobs). Was a nice suprise when I realised that one.

Well the cheque arrived for the Inland Revenue yesterday, and to say I was shocked would be an understatement. I have been credited back a smidge under £750. Dont get me wrong, I need the money at the moment being out of work. But thats half the money they demanded off me for that tax year, above what I had already payed in tax, being given back. What a mad way to do buisness.