To think HMRC shouldn't need two weeks to press a button that will prevent me from being fined, even though I won't owe any tax?

[doobedoobedoo]

Because that is what is going to happen at 5pm tomorrow.

Two years ago I was offered a big piece of freelance work out of the blue, and had to pay tax for the first time in years. (I sold my soul to voluntary work more than a decade ago.)

Last year I did one tiny bit of work that came in from elsewhere as a result of that, and I earned the princely sum of £500. In November I called HMRC to ask whether I needed to file a tax return for such a small amount. Bloke said that as my income was under £2,500 I didn't need to file a return. He didn't ask any questions and a letter arrived a while later to confirm that I was no longer a taxpayer, provided I wasn't a company director, self-employed, various things.

Two weeks ago I was reading a newspaper article that suggested I was classed as self-employed and, no matter how small my income was, I had to file a tax return. There was a link for a questionnaire on the HMRC website and that decided that I was self-employed on 3 different counts.

I called HMRC immediately (14th Jan) to say that I had been advised wrongly in November, I needed to file a tax return, and had just tried to do so online, but I couldn't because it was showing up as having been "filed" on the date I was taken out of the system.

I was told that I could be put back on to self-assessment, but "the lead time for that department is 3 weeks, and they might not deal with it before the deadline"!!

I have been checking every day, but I still can't file the return and there is only one day left before the deadline. Unless there is a miracle tomorrow, I will be fined £100 and have to appeal against that, even though I don't owe a single penny in tax.

I am sooooooooooo utterly, totally, brassed off.

[DoJo]

Last year I couldn't file on time because my "unique" reference number was the same as someone else's. I was fuming as I was already to file before going on maternity leave, and ended up doing it a couple of weeks late. I wrote a note in the 'any other information section' and wasn't issued with a fine, so it might be worth trying that when you can finally file.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I'm still waiting to receive login details. I did receive an email on Sunday telling me that the last date for filling it in online was the 15th Feb but I'd have to pay any tax owing by the 31st Jan. Sounds like they don't know what the hell they are doing.

[doobedoobedoo]

Thanks, Pam.

I have found the date I contacted HMRC on my phone bill. Interestingly I note that they weren't working to a 3 week lead time for taking people out of self-assessment. They managed to do that in less than two weeks.

My account is still blocked.

[BarredfromhavingStella]

You'll just need to appeal if you get a penalty, explain situation & state date you contacted HMRC & received the incorrect advice-this should tally up with when they put through the nil return & they'll cancel the penalty.

[PessaryPam]

Its OK doobedoobedoo, sometimes things get lost when there is only text. I did of course mean that the systems seem to be set up to stop people working rather than helping, and the government also seems to be able to assume we are all guilty unless we can prove otherwise.

[doobedoobedoo]

Thank you again, TP2. More , more .

Am sending you a quick PM - hope you don't mind? Ignore me if you do!

[TalkinPeace2]

The no fine greater than what you owe rule went out two years ago.

Tonight the whole system will nearly be in meltdown.

If you have a screenshot saying submitted, sit tight.

here is the manual page you need to send them back to if it comes to it
www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/sammanual/SAM61050.htm

[doobedoobedoo]

OK, the "Ask a Question" section is back for me, so I assume it is just meltdown causing most of the trouble.

Still can't get at Tax Return Options though.

[doobedoobedoo]

Italics fail.

Thanks, Floaty.

[doobedoobedoo]

TalkinPeace2, I think I love you!!!!! Please have , take , chocolate, anything!! The tab is on me.

For the first time in two weeks I feel that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I have taken a screenshot, but I have just noticed that it says "Information as at 29 January 2013". That was after logging in an hour ago.

I had been logged out of HMRC, and now I have logged in again and it says "Information as at 30 January 2013".

I am now worrying that they have put me back into SA and that I am looking in the wrong place to submit my return! (I admit I am in a total state of fuzzle now ...)

I can't access "Tax Return Options" any longer - when I click on it, nothing happens, and I assume the system is going into the usual meltdown?

This is what I am seeing at present:

^Tax year ending 05 Apr 2012.

Issued on:06 Apr 2012
File on paper by:08 Nov 2012
File online by:31 Jan 2013
Submitted on:
Received on:08 Nov 2012^

There is nothing I can click on there, no links or anything saying "edit". It has looked like that since November.

Gaaaaaah!!!!!

I just tried a few more options on the LH menu to see if they would open, and when I clicked on "Ask a Question", I got this message:

Please note: Currently this service is only available to Self Assessment users.

I was able to access it two weeks ago because I initially sent them a message about whether I was self-employed or not. At that time I wasn't in SA.

I officially declare myself to be on the brink of lunacy.

Can anyone else see if they can access the LH menu options. Pleeeeeeeaaaaaasssse!!

[FloatyBeatie]

Re my earlier post, OP, what I meant was if you are fined, you will almost certainly have the fine cancelled on appeal. I was late once (with no excuse, unlike you), was fined and then had fine cancelled because that year I hadn't earned enough to pay tax

[TalkinPeace2]

OP
The deadline for submitting a return is 31st January
OR
within three months of being issued with a return.

If HMRC decided in November that you did not need to do a return (they will have a log of the call if you can say what time from your phone bill) then your clock starts ticking from the date they bring your account back live.
Especially if you owe no tax.
Take screenshots of the HMRC page now
And if they try to fine you, point out that as of NOW their system shows you not owing a return.

[doobedoobedoo]

x-post, Avago.

The work was done in January 2012.

[doobedoobedoo]

You are very kind, Bob, but I think the only people who could have helped are the ones who can press the buttons at HMRC. I'll try to explain!

In late October I was told over the phone that I didn't need to file a return because my earnings were so tiny, below the limit of £2,500. The letter I received listed some exceptions, one of which was self-employment. I ignored that because I didn't really feel very "self-employed"!! Someone rang me and offered me £500-worth of work. They found me, not the other way round.

Two weeks ago I realised that, as far as HMRC are concerned, I am quite definitely defined as self-employed on 3 different counts, on their employment status checker. Panicked, called them and was told about the 3 week lead time to put me back into SA, which takes us to Feb 4th. (Ho, yes, 2 working days after the deadline ... very convenient ... )

When I log in to the system, it shows my tax return as having been "filed" on 8th November, the date I was taken out of SA, but because there is no return I can't even edit a blank return! I also can't submit a new one because the system currently thinks I have done my duty by filing a return on 8th Nov, and the return appears to be a closed file.

You are right, Eccles, I am too bloody honest for my own good. I should have left things as they were. If HMRC came looking for me because I had earned for one year and then nothing the next, I guess that with proof that my earnings were only £500, they would probably have had no interest in pursuing me.

[Avago]

Probably stating the obvious but are remembering the tax year is April 2011/12 ie if you did your work after April 6th 2012 you need to file by 31 Jan 2014.
I've managed to get a let off a fine for not filing a partnership return because they sent the form 2 years after we told them we'd folded.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

its such a bugger when you are actually trying to be honest. hope it unlocks in time.

[ThingummyBob]

Doobe, can I help? You have until midnight you know, but I'm not sure I understand why you can't file

Do you have a log in and password? Also, please don't worry about a fine. If you genuinely can't file they will waive the penalty on appeal.

[doobedoobedoo]

Yes, if I fill out a paper form now I would definitely get a fine, and have to pay even more because it would be more than 3 months overdue! They have more ways to fleece you than a hundred bloody sheep shearers.

Floaty, I was told I would definitely get a fine. Mind you, I was told I could opt out of self assessment as well, which is how I landed in this mess! And there is a risk that I won't win an appeal because they could easily say that I should have checked my employment status earlier.

I have no records of any of the earlier conversations, and all I have from the most recent one is the name of the person I spoke to and the date/time of the call. I asked for written confirmation of what she had told me, and she said "We don't have a letter that covers that". Grrrr .....

It's the sheer frustration that is getting to me. I have all the figures at my fingertips, I have actually completed the paper form so that I could get the online one done double-quick if my account was unblocked.

I would place a bet that my account will be unblocked tomorrow, once the fine has been levied.

[FloatyBeatie]

I'm almost certain you won't have to pay the fine. And the appeal is very simple, I think. Just a very quick form.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Paper ones have to be done by 31st October so they probably wouldn't accept a fax today.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

could anyone print you off a blank form that you could fill in and fax to them?

[doobedoobedoo]

That's because he is "employing" you - I am considered to be self-employed.

My account is still blocked with 50 minutes to go. Bastards.

[SneakyNuts]

I earn £3000 according to DP's books, but I don't have to file a tax return..?

[doobedoobedoo]

Sorry, *pessarypam". Major sense of humour failure here caused by the stress of all this.

If I don't reappear today, you know where I am - on the HMRC site, repeatedly pressing the refresh button in the hope of being able to file the return in time.

prudence, unbelievable, and yet perfectly believable. I am worried that I may never escape from the system ever again now. I am having to keep records of every single payment I receive, all of which are completely legitimate, but could be construed as earned income by some autamaton.

[pettyprudence]

Urgh will make sure my next years return is done promptly as I am actually self employed this year. £100???? Can we not charge them for the bloody hours it takes to do the stupid thing?

DH got charges for not doing returns even though he notified them SEVERAL times that he was no longer self employed, as instructed by tem. We have been told by HMRC that he might never be unregistered and this is perfectly normal !