HMRC & Self Assessment
Discussion
I am not aware that HMRC ever had any such obligation. Nor did the predecessor Inland Revenue. In earlier times (decades before the merger with Customs & Excise) the IR sending you the annual return form to complete (rather than just a reminder) was simply standard procedure rather than a requirement.
Furthermore you were never required to dip into your pocket to provide an envelope and a stamp where any reply to official correspondence was required. In those far off days the brown envelopes all bore the Crown imprint and OHMS.
For the majority of people it is now unnecessary as the return can be completed online. If you are organised with your record keeping, the process takes no more than 30 minutes including double checking it has been completed correctly.
Furthermore you were never required to dip into your pocket to provide an envelope and a stamp where any reply to official correspondence was required. In those far off days the brown envelopes all bore the Crown imprint and OHMS.
For the majority of people it is now unnecessary as the return can be completed online. If you are organised with your record keeping, the process takes no more than 30 minutes including double checking it has been completed correctly.
Red Devil said:
I am not aware that HMRC ever had any such obligation. Nor did the predecessor Inland Revenue. In earlier times (decades before the merger with Customs & Excise) the IR sending you the annual return form to complete (rather than just a reminder) was simply standard procedure rather than a requirement.
Furthermore you were never required to dip into your pocket to provide an envelope and a stamp where any reply to official correspondence was required. In those far off days the brown envelopes all bore the Crown imprint and OHMS.
For the majority of people it is now unnecessary as the return can be completed online. If you are organised with your record keeping, the process takes no more than 30 minutes including double checking it has been completed correctly.
Cheers for that.Furthermore you were never required to dip into your pocket to provide an envelope and a stamp where any reply to official correspondence was required. In those far off days the brown envelopes all bore the Crown imprint and OHMS.
For the majority of people it is now unnecessary as the return can be completed online. If you are organised with your record keeping, the process takes no more than 30 minutes including double checking it has been completed correctly.
Perhaps not then. I was fined years ago for not submitting a return. I had no idea I had to as I was on PAYE for 20 years. I wrote and explained this and the fine was reversed, and the case was closed. I realise how simple a task it is, especially since I live abroad (have done for 5 years) and the return is always zero, but I have been unable to register on-line for a couple of reasons. Even a chat for 45 minutes with their IT expert could not resolve the issue.
PurpleMoonlight said:
Know what, this could be just what I needed to read, as it would appear that I don't need to complete them.Thanks for that.
Iirc;
If they send you one you have to return it or £100 fine.
If they don't send you one, but you meet certain criteria you should do one. But if you don't due to not knowing you shoyld there's no automatic fine. But you may need to fill in a few years old ones and may need to pay some historical tax.
All assuming that there's no hint of avoidance or evasion of course.
If they send you one you have to return it or £100 fine.
If they don't send you one, but you meet certain criteria you should do one. But if you don't due to not knowing you shoyld there's no automatic fine. But you may need to fill in a few years old ones and may need to pay some historical tax.
All assuming that there's no hint of avoidance or evasion of course.
Dairymilk said:
They used to send me an instruction every years to fill in a self assessment. Every year I got about £3k rebate. A couple of years ago they sent me an instruction that I no longer needed to complete a self assessment any longer.
I wonder if that can be classed as theft.
Not really. If you were due a rebate, they would calculate it and send it to you in any case. As long returns were being made by your employer, I.e. as long as you weren't hiding away.I wonder if that can be classed as theft.
You didn't get the rebate out of the kindness of their hearts, you must have been overpaying across the tax year.
As said, hard to understand why this is an issue these days. The HMRC on line system works well and takes very little time to complete as long as you manage your P60(s), tax deduction certificates etc. properly.
They messed up my Tax Code many years ago and then when I split from my ex they messed it up again due to me 'coming off' Working Family Tax Credit (or whatever it was called!)
Every year they now send me a nice letter telling me I have to do a return, Every year I do one and it says I owe them between £50-£300. Every year about May I get a few letters saying I owe more, then a few saying they owe me and then one telling me that they have just dropped £200-£500 in my bank account.
For tax year 13/14 I'm going to use an accountant!
Every year they now send me a nice letter telling me I have to do a return, Every year I do one and it says I owe them between £50-£300. Every year about May I get a few letters saying I owe more, then a few saying they owe me and then one telling me that they have just dropped £200-£500 in my bank account.
For tax year 13/14 I'm going to use an accountant!
my wife works for them and (with the greatest of respect to my wife) the tales of incompetancy are truly staggering.
what they do have is big financial teeth to take anything they want from you, when they want.
obey, comply is my advise.
oh and if you ever think they are rushing you, they have just 9 mins allocated to deal with whatever a person phones about.
the staff can't even access records now back to 2011/12 because they have switched ICT systems.
what they do have is big financial teeth to take anything they want from you, when they want.
obey, comply is my advise.
oh and if you ever think they are rushing you, they have just 9 mins allocated to deal with whatever a person phones about.
the staff can't even access records now back to 2011/12 because they have switched ICT systems.
Chilli said:
Does anyone know if HMRC have an obligation to send you the Self Assessment forms, or is the individual obliged just to send them in each year? I know it used to be that the forms had to be sent to you, but I'm wondering if times have changed.
Cheers.
I don't think they ever have, or ever will. This would mean they have to do something. Instead the approach is that you are required to know everything and act accordingly.Cheers.
Just fill in the on-line assessment if it is straightforward or if not instruct an accountant?
I've tried to register on-line, bit to no avail. I once tried using my UTR but failed to complete it for some reason. Now when. I Try again it refuses entry. Speaking to their IT expert, there is nothing that can be done, as I registered with an old email account, or something.
I've lived abroad for the best part of 5 years. Every self-assessment I've filed has been blank other than rental income on my house. This doesn't even cover the mortgage costs so there is never any tax to pay. Last year I forgot to send it.
A few years ago, i received a late filing return. I Argued that I had no knowledge of having to complete a return and was told that the forms were sent to my home address. When I explained that I don't actually live anymore, and hadn't for some time, AND informed them that I was leaving the UK for good, they waived the fines.
Now I receive a fine for 1,300 quid.
I've lived abroad for the best part of 5 years. Every self-assessment I've filed has been blank other than rental income on my house. This doesn't even cover the mortgage costs so there is never any tax to pay. Last year I forgot to send it.
A few years ago, i received a late filing return. I Argued that I had no knowledge of having to complete a return and was told that the forms were sent to my home address. When I explained that I don't actually live anymore, and hadn't for some time, AND informed them that I was leaving the UK for good, they waived the fines.
Now I receive a fine for 1,300 quid.
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