HMRC Customer Service Issues

I recently received a letter indicating an underpayment of £[redacted].80 on my taxes last year, resulting in a change of my tax code from 1250L to 739L to repay the amount owed. However, I am confused as I am a PAYE employee and do not have control over my tax deductions. Furthermore, the letter mentions an additional £55.60 owed for this year, which adds to my concern. Upon checking my personal tax account on the HMRC website, it shows an estimated wage of £30,[redacted] for this year, which is inaccurate. I have spoken to my employer who suggested ignoring the letters, but the situation is causing me distress. I would appreciate any assistance in resolving this matter promptly. Thank you. Kind regards, D.T.

I am trying to cancel the marriage allowance online due to changes in my financial situation, including my wife losing her job because of COVID-19. I have not worked for five years due to illness. Despite managing to cancel it online, it won't take effect until April [redacted], which will result in a penalty. Additionally, I've been informed that I owe a small amount of back tax, which is confusing as I have not been liable for tax for the past six years due to low earnings. I would appreciate speaking to someone about these issues as soon as possible. My National Insurance number is YT418084D, and my State Pension has been delayed until May when I turned 65 years and 10 months. Thank you for your assistance.

Hello, I am an agency worker who requested to be placed on furlough by my agent, but they have informed me that I do not meet the qualifications. I was employed by the agency from January [redacted] to April [redacted] on PAYE for one of their clients. As my contract ended on April 23, [redacted] because the client hired a permanent staff member, I consider myself eligible for the furlough scheme based on the timelines. Since the agency no longer has contracts due to the pandemic, I asked them as my last deemed employer to rehire me and put me on furlough. However, they have denied my request stating that I do not qualify due to the nature of my contract ending. I have reviewed the government website but could not find any information on disqualification based on the end of the last contract while being rehired. Can you please clarify if I am eligible? I have been employed for over 30 years, paid all my taxes and national insurance, and have never sought assistance before. I appreciate any help during these challenging times. Thank you, Best regards, J.

As a self-employed artist and coach also caring for a child and elderly mother, my income is low due to the impact of Brexit on my sales last year. The expenses remained high despite fewer sales, and when my website crashed, it was a potential disaster. To keep my business afloat and invest in a new website and upcoming exhibitions for [redacted], I accessed a small pension early. However, the early pension withdrawals were heavily taxed due to emergency tax and were quickly used to cover business expenses. I completed my accounts for 2[redacted] and want to file my self-assessment, but I'm unsure how to handle the pension funds. I was advised I might be eligible for a tax rebate for the overpayment, but I am uncertain about the process. I also need a tax code for 2[redacted] to withdraw the remaining pension for essential business adjustments during lockdown. Given the cancellations of exhibitions and inability to obtain refunds, along with living on minimal funds, the pension money injected into the business resulted in a meager profit. I seek guidance on how to categorize this money for tax purposes to potentially secure a refund and sustain my business. Your assistance is crucial as my current income barely supports my family's needs, making it challenging to access COVID relief assistance.

I am 70 years old and retired on May 1, [redacted], after working 3 days a week. I have my P45 available. I paused claiming my State Pension from January 9, [redacted], until May 3, [redacted], and recently opted to start receiving it. I am anticipating a lump sum of £40,[redacted].88 and am curious if this will be subject to taxation. My weekly State Pension is £[redacted].82, paid monthly starting in May [redacted]. I also have a Peoples Pension worth £1,[redacted].25 that I have requested as a lump sum, pending receipt, and plan to reclaim the tax with HMRC. As I do not have any other pensions, my tax-free amount, excluding the State Pension, is £5,[redacted]. According to the State Pension Service, if I am not paying any Income Tax in the current Tax Year [redacted]/[redacted] (which I am not), then my deferred lump sum should not be taxable. I have attempted to contact HMRC without success and would appreciate it if someone could reach out to clarify this for me. I only started receiving my State Pension after government advice due to being over 70 and self-isolating from my job in a Private Care Home where I could not be furloughed. Thank you in advance.

I have gaps in my national insurance contributions preventing me from claiming ESA. On 03 June [redacted], I made a payment to cover [redacted] & [redacted] retrospectively, but it has not been updated on my records yet. Can you confirm if payment was received and when my records will be updated? I have been trying to claim unsuccessfully since March. This has become urgent due to my inability to work following a cancer diagnosis and lack of personal income. Thank you. J West

I have a question regarding a furlough claim under the Job Retention Scheme. An employee returned from maternity leave in March and used her accrued holiday for that month. She had requested to return to work part-time on a 4-day week instead of a 5-day week starting April 1st. This arrangement was agreed upon before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since she was furloughed from April 1st, we believe we should claim 80% of her salary based on the 4-day working pattern she would have had. The employee argues that because her salary was full-time on March 19th, we should pay her 80% of her full-time salary instead. However, when she returns to work, she will be on a 4-day week, not a 5-day week. We believe that the spirit of the Job Retention Scheme is to honor pre-lockdown agreements and what the employee would have worked if not furloughed. Could you please clarify the correct way to pay this employee?

I did not receive my shift pay in my salary this month. The company paid it separately after acknowledging the error. However, the tax deduction on the payment seems too high. Out of £[redacted].38, I received only £[redacted].21, which is a 46% deduction. This deduction is higher than the 40% rate I was told by payroll. I have lost over £[redacted] because of this. I contacted payroll, and they mentioned using all my tax-free allowances on the first run, leading to a 40% deduction. I am concerned about the discrepancy and would appreciate a review of my tax code to ensure I am paying the correct amount of tax. Thank you, A. O. Tel: [redacted] Email: [redacted] NI No. NA 50 70 61 A

I am awaiting a tax rebate for my self-assessment and have received an online activation code for my accountants to start the process. Despite sending them the additional details as requested, the person handling my case is currently on annual leave. I am concerned that by the time she returns, the code may no longer be valid. I lost my job due to COVID-19 restrictions, and a recent SEISS payment impacted my universal credit eligibility. This unexpected setback has left me struggling financially. My plan was to use the tax rebate to furnish my new home, which currently lacks essential items like carpets, appliances, and furniture. I would appreciate a call to discuss my situation further. Thank you, Brendan.

Hello Customer Service, I am a non-UK resident currently residing in Malaysia and am in the process of filing my [redacted] tax return. I would like clarification on whether I need to complete Page RR1 by filling in boxes 2-14. I am designating myself as a non-resident in Box 1. In the previous year's return, I did not have to fill in these boxes, as confirmed by your colleague, JO, whom I contacted. I have received the Self Assessment: Tax Calculation from HMRC following last year's filing. Can you please explain the Non-UK resident income tax liability upper limit and its relevance to my situation, particularly regarding my rental income from an apartment in Leeds, which amounts to approximately GBP 5,[redacted] per year and is tax-exempt due to being under GBP 11,[redacted]. I would greatly appreciate your guidance on these matters. Thank you, Kok Li Seong

I have a small pension from Barnet, and despite having a tax code of 1250L, I have been taxed on it. I contacted your offices, and it seems to be a mistake resulting in double taxation. I have been waiting for a callback since 29/06/20 after speaking with Paul, who provided me with a password for that callback. He mentioned it would take approximately 48 to 72 hours, but I haven't received any updates yet. My reference number is NS814531B. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. - Marie Moylan

To Whom It May Concern, I recently received a letter from tax credits requesting an update. My daughter left home in [redacted], and I updated my address at that time. I did not renew tax credits or any other benefits as I am aware I am no longer entitled to them. I currently live with a friend, and my income situation is manageable. I kindly request to stop any further correspondence or renewal requests regarding tax credits. For verification purposes, I have not provided all my personal details. Thank you and regards, Marinela Rodrigues

I need clarification regarding the charges from Herts Irrigation for the following services: 1. Irrigation Work: - Fitting of new pump: £[redacted] + VAT - Repair of irrigation system: £[redacted] + VAT - Pond filtration, supply and fit two pressure flo [redacted] and pipe work: £[redacted] + VAT 2. Electrical Work: - Labour x 2 @ £[redacted] a day = £[redacted] + VAT - Consumer unit: £[redacted] + VAT - Garage pack: £60 + VAT - SWA Cable x 40m @ £2.50 a meter: £[redacted] + VAT - Sockets x 4 @ £15 each: £60 + VAT - SWA Glands x 1: £2 + VAT - Wiska Boxes @ £5 each: VAT - SWA Glands @ £2 each: VAT - Earthing block @ £3.50 each: VAT - Cable @ £1 a meter: VAT - Conduit @ £1 a meter: VAT It's worth noting that Herts Irrigation is associated with other companies like Blue Planet Centre Limited and The Aquarium Centre Limited. I am unsure if they are VAT registered. Should they be charging me extra for VAT?

I received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs regarding account [redacted] at the Broker company TRUSTFX. HMRC states that funds were sent via SEPA transfer by UBS to a Ms. Nina Shevchenko. The annual income on the account was $[redacted]. According to HMRC, the preferential tax rate is 12.5% for non-UK residents. The account's ultimate owner, a European citizen, is required to pay taxes under UK law. The owner allegedly used nominee services for tax evasion. HMRC requests a peaceful resolution by paying 12.5% income tax of $[redacted] by July 20, [redacted], to release the funds to Ms. Shevchenko. Failure to pay may lead to a request to the Internal Revenue Service of Europe and potential forfeiture of funds to the state. Tax payment should be made on behalf of the nominal beneficiary.

I recently logged into my HMRC account and discovered a tax return has been processed without my knowledge. Despite speaking with you last week and pointing out that I did not make these amendments, the incorrect details remain on file. The number associated with the account is not mine, and my old email address, which was hacked last year, has been inputted. I am unable to access this email address and have reported this to the police. The police reference number is [redacted]8. The tax return shows an amount owed which I dispute. The earnings figures entered are inaccurate. Can you confirm if the payment of £[redacted].41 has been made, as I have not received this sum? I am concerned about the security of my account as similar unauthorized activities have occurred multiple times in the past year. I would like to know what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

I recently received a suspicious call claiming to be from your department, stating they were Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. They insisted on a fixed penalty fee to avoid arrest, despite the police confirming no warrant exists. The caller identified themselves as BALLTICKER. I've experienced such scam calls for about six years, likely due to a data breach involving Talktalk. Police couldn't assist and suggested contacting Fraud UK. Please be cautious of this ongoing scam using [redacted][redacted]. I called at 13:16, but they quickly change numbers. My name is Beverley Y. S., and you can reach me at 01[redacted].

Hello, I am currently in the process of establishing myself as a Virtual Assistant, working independently from home as a sole trader. My services will primarily focus on providing general administrative support to clients. Although I do not hold specific qualifications in bookkeeping or accounting, I aim to assist clients with the following tasks: 1) Recording personal or business expenses and managing receipts. 2) Generating and sending invoices on behalf of clients. 3) Following up on any outstanding invoices and late payments. I have reviewed the guidance available on the HMRC website, but I still have some uncertainties regarding the necessity of registering with MLR before offering these services to potential clients. It is worth noting that I intend to manage my own accounts and do not currently have any confirmed clients for when my business is operational. Thank you for your assistance. Joanne R.

I am currently employed in the hospitality industry as a cleaner. Recently, our furlough payments were unexpectedly stopped by our employer without any prior notice to the staff. As per my understanding, we did not receive any furlough pay on 10.07.20 and presume that further payments will not be made. When inquired, the employer mentioned that they had not received any furlough funds for the staff and were expecting it on 22.07.20. The team returned to work a week ago to prepare the restaurant for reopening on 10.07.20. Unfortunately, I felt uneasy about returning as the premises were in poor condition. The public washrooms were unclean and emitting foul odors due to being unused for four months. During the lockdown, the owner and their family resided upstairs, which posed health risks as the bedding was not laundered, and the washrooms were unsanitary. Now, I have a few concerns: 1) Can the employer halt our furlough payments without prior notice? 2) There is uncertainty regarding being compensated for the hours worked last week, as wages have been delayed in the past, causing staff to be owed 4-5 weeks' worth of payment due to financial issues. 3) Tax deductions have been made from our wages, and there are apprehensions about whether these deductions were remitted to HMRC. 4) If we choose not to work due to feeling unsafe in the current environment, can the employer terminate our employment?

Subject: Assistance Needed with Tax Arrears Hello, I am writing regarding my tax arrears resulting from being out of work for three months due to Covid-19. Despite being informed that the monies were taxed at the source, I now find myself owing £6,[redacted].60. While my tax number has been adjusted to repay this, the current deductions are leaving me struggling to cover my living expenses. Now that I have returned to work, my proposal is to pay a fixed monthly amount of £[redacted].00 towards clearing the arrears. However, the present deductions are making it financially challenging for me to continue working under these circumstances. I kindly request your assistance in resolving this matter as soon as possible. I have always been diligent with my taxes and the current situation has left me anxious about the potential consequences. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Best regards, Wayne Handley

I am a member of a small volunteer group that assists in managing a community social club. We employ 2 bar staff and 2 part-time cleaners. Recently, our treasurer/secretary, who was appointed just before lockdown, became seriously ill and was hospitalized, leaving us to handle payrolls and furlough payments. None of us have experience in this area, and we are struggling to find information on these payments. I located what appears to be a UTR number, 267PC[redacted]6, but I'm unsure if it is correct. Our club, in operation since the 1920s, is at risk of closure due to financial difficulties. We believed our treasurer had applied for furlough, but we have not received any payments. We have been paying our staff 80% of their wages based on the expectation of furlough support. A recent bank statement shows we have no funds left, indicating that furlough has not been processed. Additionally, we have tenants living above the club, and we are worried about essential services being cut off if we cannot settle our bills. Please advise on how we can confirm if furlough has been applied for. - Lorraine Unwin, Volunteer Committee Member