HMRC excessive fines

[RizzoTheRat]

Has anyone successfully argued against a fine from HMRC?

I did my self assessment the other year and they sent me an online statement in January 2020 saying how much I owed them. All ok so far.

They then sent me a statement in April 2021, with the carried over balance, the payment I'd made making the balance £0, and
- 15 April 21, late filing penalty for 19/20, £100

Wasn't aware I'd filed late, but I'll take their word for it. Problem is I'd not logged in to my account until today since January so hadn't seen this, I assume they'd have sent me an e-mail saying there was a message but I'd either missed it it or assume it was just an update to say they'd received the payment. I accept that is my fault

However the next statement received 9 November 2021



£1200 fine for a £100 outstanding debt? Is that not a little excessive?

I'll give them a ring on Monday to see if I can argue it down a bit, but what are my chances of success?

[mwstewart]

I found them to be quite pragmatic. In my case they hadn't actioned an address change, and when presented with the proof they resolved things there and then.

[Piersman2]

I had a £100 late payment for VAT fine about 5 years back, fair cop and I paid it.

Then a couple of returns later (6months or so later) I got a letter saying I had incurred a £500 for being late again, which was factually correct but I'd not had their usual reminder emailed to me so I'd missed it.

I wrote them a letter explaining this, quickly paid my overdue VAT and the £500 fine, but asked if they could reconsider the fine. They did and returned the £500 to my account a week or so later.

Suffice to say, I make sure I have calendar reminders in place now to cover VAT return submissions.

So, as said above, pragmatic so long as you respond to them and have a senssible sob story!

[The Leaper]

The fine is as per HMRC's normal basis for the late submission of SA , and there's plenty of website evidence that confirms that this is their normal basis. It is, therefore, not excessive. I suspect that you'll need a strong argument to get it reduced.

R.

[michael010389]

I recieved the same amount of fine from the hmrc as I went from self employed to Paye. I had never recieved previous correspondence so I was shocked to say the least! Rang them the next t saying that I did file that I was no longer self employed, the lady I spoke to was very helpful and advised that the fine was cancelled and she had no registered me as paye and that they mustn't have ever recieved the notification. I also advised that I had already again filled out a form the previous day after the letter advising I was now a paye and she advised that they hadn't recieved that form either so 'system error' should be on your side. 😊

I can honestly say that my dealings with the hmrc were more than helpful so give them a call and I think that you will be fine!

Edited by michael010389 on Sunday 12th December 15:10

[Tommo87]

The Leaper said:

The fine is as per HMRC's normal basis for the late submission of SA , and there's plenty of website evidence that confirms that this is their normal basis. It is, therefore, not excessive. I suspect that you'll need a strong argument to get it reduced.

R.

Usually a TV and Radio campaign in January too.

[anonymous-user]

RizzoTheRat said:

Has anyone successfully argued against a fine from HMRC?

I did my self assessment the other year and they sent me an online statement in January 2020 saying how much I owed them. All ok so far.

They then sent me a statement in April 2021, with the carried over balance, the payment I'd made making the balance £0, and
- 15 April 21, late filing penalty for 19/20, £100

Wasn't aware I'd filed late, but I'll take their word for it. Problem is I'd not logged in to my account until today since January so hadn't seen this, I assume they'd have sent me an e-mail saying there was a message but I'd either missed it it or assume it was just an update to say they'd received the payment. I accept that is my fault

However the next statement received 9 November 2021



£1200 fine for a £100 outstanding debt? Is that not a little excessive?

I'll give them a ring on Monday to see if I can argue it down a bit, but what are my chances of success?

Are you still yet to file your 2019-2020 tax return?

[RizzoTheRat]

I thought I had. I'll give them a ring in the morning and see what's going on.

[Glosphil]

I sent in a tax return on time but it contained an error. It took HMRC 8 months to inform me of the error & they deemed my return as invalid & fined me for being 8 months late with my return. The error made no difference to the tax owed; I had paid the correct amount. They rejected my appeal.