Why are HMRC expense claims always so difficult?
Discussion
Every year I make an expense claim to HMRC. They then often send me a letter saying I haven’t paid enough tax but they won't ask me to pay it back because the amount I owe is small.
Unfortunately, they never tell me what I owed and what they will do with my subsequent expense claim. I’ve tried calling, but I usually give up after being on hold for an hour.
In the middle of last year, I submitted an expense claim for mileage in 2019/2020, which they paid promptly by bank transfer.
A couple of weeks ago, I realised I had £200 of expenses that I didn’t claim in 2019/2020. Not a huge amount, but as a 40% taxpayer, it adds up. I submitted a claim online, but now I have received a letter saying I hadn’t paid enough tax for that year, but the amount I owe was small.
Again I have no idea where this discrepancy comes from, and presumably, my £200 claim has been ignored. I've tried calling but haven't been able to get through to anyone yet.
I’m on PAYE, and I do a sanity check on my payslip figures, but I’m not a payroll expert. Am I just unlucky, or is this typical? What are other peoples experiences?
Unfortunately, they never tell me what I owed and what they will do with my subsequent expense claim. I’ve tried calling, but I usually give up after being on hold for an hour.
In the middle of last year, I submitted an expense claim for mileage in 2019/2020, which they paid promptly by bank transfer.
A couple of weeks ago, I realised I had £200 of expenses that I didn’t claim in 2019/2020. Not a huge amount, but as a 40% taxpayer, it adds up. I submitted a claim online, but now I have received a letter saying I hadn’t paid enough tax for that year, but the amount I owe was small.
Again I have no idea where this discrepancy comes from, and presumably, my £200 claim has been ignored. I've tried calling but haven't been able to get through to anyone yet.
I’m on PAYE, and I do a sanity check on my payslip figures, but I’m not a payroll expert. Am I just unlucky, or is this typical? What are other peoples experiences?
It's 'tax relief' you're asking for - not an 'expense claim'. HMRC don't pay expenses.
The typical process to deal with such matters via the Self Assessment / Tax Return system.
Personally, for the sake of such a small amount, I would write it off rather than hassle HMRC and risking them putting you on SA with all the aggravation that comes with it.
The typical process to deal with such matters via the Self Assessment / Tax Return system.
Personally, for the sake of such a small amount, I would write it off rather than hassle HMRC and risking them putting you on SA with all the aggravation that comes with it.
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