PAYE Tax underpayment!

[GE90]

Hi

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I’m a straightforward employee, on PAYE. Only slight confusion is that I receive a survivor pension after my wife passed away some time ago.

HMRC day I have underpaid by nearly £3k, and after speaking to them this has arisen over a few years as the pension provider has not been using the correct code. The chap I spoke with said that I may be able to appeal it as this is quite a sum and as a result of something outside of my control. They also suggested this can only be done by writing a letter.

I’m guessing I haven’t got a chance? Does seem unfair that there is no accountability on the pension company not using the correct code (I’m told that this could have been easily identified, as my employer did)!

Thanks.

[The Leaper]

Not sure how far you'd get with an appeal. A fundamental principle of the UK tax system is that each individual is personally responsible for getting their own tax affairs correct, which includes reporting all relevant information. If anything is reported incorrectly by any party, it is the individual who is ultimately still responsible.

You may be able to agree a payment schedule with HMRC whereby you pay the arrears over an agreed time period.

R.

[MaxFromage]

The Leaper said:

Not sure how far you'd get with an appeal. A fundamental principle of the UK tax system is that each individual is personally responsible for getting their own tax affairs correct, which includes reporting all relevant information. If anything is reported incorrectly by any party, it is the individual who is ultimately still responsible.

R.

I'm afraid this is incorrect advice. The individual is not always responsible.

OP. Have a good read of all of this:

https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/employment/wha...

From what you have described, ESC A19 may apply.