Hi folks,
This pretty much came out of nowhere. So bare with me:
I'm recently back from my honeymoon and had 2 letters from HMRC waiting for me. It turns out that they are both late penalty fee notices.
- Late filing penalties for the year ended 5th April 2013 - Total £1200
- Late filing penalties for the year ended 5th April 2014 - Total £1200
Now I hope you can imagine my shock/horror. I have never been self employed. I am a teacher and have been since 2012. I have never been self employed or received any income outside of my teachers pay. My pay is through the payee system. Completely outside my control like most workers.
So, as i was entirely disbelieving of the whole thing I rang up HMRC. I was put through only to be told that they have been trying to contact me for 3 years and have sent out numerous letters. To be honest the woman was extremely unhelpful. Now, I have moved house twice in the last 3 years. Not really our fault, we rent and landlords wanted back into the properties. HMRC wouldn't tell me the address these letters were sent too, so I don't know where the letters went. As far as I know there is no way for me to give HMRC my contact details - I mean, why would I need to?
However, I have NEVER received anything from HMRC (until these penalty notices). If I did, I would have acted on it. They said that I had underpaid my tax by £57 in the year 2012-2013. How? I don't know as a payee I don't control my tax or payments. It is all automatic. They had tried to contact me to arrange repayment and because I never replied (how could I? I didn't know!) I was issued with penalties.
They stated I had to appeal the penalties. I offered to pay the money they said I underpaid (which I would have done instantly had I known) but they said no. I must appeal the £2400 penalty on a £57 underpayment.
SO, I fill in the appeal forms (the same day I got the letters!) and send them off recorded delivery on the 13/7/16.
I only got a reply today which stated they "could not consider my appeal because we have not received your tax return" for both years. So they returned my appeals with the letter. Telling me I must file tax returns.
Can someone explain to me what is going on here? I feel like I am being screwed over royally!
Thanks for your help, patience/advice!
Mark