Strange letter from the inland revenue
Strange letter from the inland revenue
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TheGreatSoprendo

Original Poster:

5,288 posts

276 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
We got a letter today addressed to someone with my girlfriends first name but with a completely different surname (not even remotely similar to hers). It says "You need a tax code so KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN GB LTD can work out how much tax to take....".

My girlfriend doesn't work for KFC, never has and probably never will! Worryingly, the NI number on the letter is my girlfiends. True to form, she has badly over reacted to this and has been in tears and is panicking that they are going to over charge her for tax.

I've tried to get her to calm down a bit and to give them a call tomorrow to sort things out, but does anyone know what might be going on here? Is there some kind of fraud being attempted or is this just simple tax office screw up? Any advice on how best to get this sorted as quickly as possible?

singlecoil

35,817 posts

273 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Just ring them up, give them the facts they should have it sorted in less that 9 months or so.

number2

5,183 posts

214 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Mmmm. I'd be interested to hear what has happened.

It could be that a 'dodgy' KFC employee maybe doesn't have a NI number and has somehow come across your partner's. Would be odd for the IR not to cross reference the NI provided with that currently on file..maybe.

Probably just a mess up and nothing to worry about.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I received 2 of those, one for a company I haven't worked for for nearly 2 years, and one for the dole, my wife received 2 both for the same employer, but she does do additional overtime (bank shifts. I was wondering what the letters where about as I have never received them before.

cazzer

8,883 posts

275 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I would suggest checking that the telephone number on the letter actually is the local tax office before giving them any details over the phone though.

Eric Mc

125,322 posts

292 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Does it actually say "Inland Revenue" on the letter. They ceasedc to be called Inland Revenue over three years ago.

Cas_P

1,497 posts

210 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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Maybe she is working in KFC but she was too embarrassed to tell you? :P

On a serious note as someone said above someone might of written down the wrong NI number/a fake NI number or it's just an admin screw up. Give them a call tomorrow and it'll be sorted in no time I really wouldn't worry too much about it!

TheGreatSoprendo

Original Poster:

5,288 posts

276 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Does it actually say "Inland Revenue" on the letter. They ceasedc to be called Inland Revenue over three years ago.
No, that's just me being stuck in my ways! The letter is from HM Revenue and customs. Oh and the phone number checks out - it's a tax office in the North East somewhere.

dudleybloke

20,553 posts

213 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
my first thought would have been 'how do i get some free chicken out of this situation!'

she's like kfc anyway...

got breasts, legs and a greasy box that you stick your bone in! smile

cs02rm0

13,816 posts

218 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
It'll just be someone at KFC who can't write letters. Just let them know.

I doubt the tax bill for someone working at KFC who can't write their own NI number is that large anyway.

TheGreatSoprendo

Original Poster:

5,288 posts

276 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Quick update... She phoned the tax office this morning and they said there had been a mistake and used the age old excuse of "systems" issues. They didn't really give any detail on exaactly how this had come about but reassured her that it was now resolved and that she won't be charged any additional tax.

I hope they're right, but she'll be keeping a close eye on her payslips for the next few months!

Eric Mc

125,322 posts

292 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Quick update... She phoned the tax office this morning and they said there had been a mistake and used the age old excuse of "systems" issues. They didn't really give any detail on exaactly how this had come about but reassured her that it was now resolved and that she won't be charged any additional tax.

I hope they're right, but she'll be keeping a close eye on her payslips for the next few months!
At least she monitors her Coding Notices. Far too many people asssume that they are always correct - they are not and if you pay too little tax because of coding errors YOU will be chased for the underpaid amounts.

Vron

2,541 posts

236 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Quick update... She phoned the tax office this morning and they said there had been a mistake and used the age old excuse of "systems" issues. They didn't really give any detail on exaactly how this had come about but reassured her that it was now resolved and that she won't be charged any additional tax.

I hope they're right, but she'll be keeping a close eye on her payslips for the next few months!
At least she monitors her Coding Notices. Far too many people asssume that they are always correct - they are not and if you pay too little tax because of coding errors YOU will be chased for the underpaid amounts.
Yes I learn't this the hard way as a PAYE employee. Tax office will not take any respomsibility if they cock up.

muppetdave

2,118 posts

252 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Quick update... She phoned the tax office this morning and they said there had been a mistake and used the age old excuse of "systems" issues. They didn't really give any detail on exaactly how this had come about but reassured her that it was now resolved and that she won't be charged any additional tax.

I hope they're right, but she'll be keeping a close eye on her payslips for the next few months!
At least she monitors her Coding Notices. Far too many people asssume that they are always correct - they are not and if you pay too little tax because of coding errors YOU will be chased for the underpaid amounts.
As per my post just before xmas - D'oh!!