Long story short, last year I received a penalty letter. I was really worried, called up about it, spoke to a couple of people who reassured me, said I didn't owe anything and told me what I needed to do re self assessment (have been put onto that due to being a higher rate taxpayer and in receipt of CB). So 2 people telling me I didn't owe anything was good enough for me. Self assessment filed, all ok. Apparently.
Now I've had correspondence saying I owe a 4 figure sum. I spent an hour on the phone, most of it on hold, to query it only to be told I have to appeal, which will take up to 4 months and I'll be charged interest in the meantime as well.
I'm lucky (haha) in that I can pay it but it will completely wipe out money I'd put aside for my DC and a holiday. Have been crying in the loos about it. This is just the latest shitty thing to happen this year - never ending list of jobs to do in my house, teen DC being 'challenging', my bf got diagnosed with cancer (but is clear for now thankfully), my job is a nightmare and I've recently found out I'm being paid £10k or more less than my workshy colleague (who works from home all the time, which I'm not allowed to). Frankly this feels like the last straw.
AIBU?
to be in tears about HMRC?
commuterville · 23/06/2015 13:03
HMRC are frighteningly incompetent.
DP has been doing a tax return for the last few years. One year he had almost no tax to pay because of allowable deductions and a rebate - it came to 7p. He paid it, and obviously had a record of it being paid.
They then sent a demand for 7p - and a fine for not filing his return and not paying the 7p owed.
He obviously contacted them and pointed out that
a) he had a record of payment, and
b) if he'd never filed the return, how did they know he owed them 7p?!
They agreed with this and said they'd wiped the fines.
Then another pair of fines arrived - for more this time.
He contacted them again, and this time they said they had no record of payment and he definitely hadn't filed his return. When he again asked how they'd reached the 7p calculation, they said it was from his tax return. The one he hadn't filed. They managed to simultaneously accept that he had filed his return for purposes of pointing out that he owed them 7p and they were going to fine him for not paying it, and deny that he'd filed his return for the purposes of fining him for that 
He eventually got them to remove the fines on the condition that he payed the 7p again. He paid it. They tried to fine him a third time.
He then started sending sarcastic letters. One of them had 7p in coppers taped inside the envelope. They eventually graciously agreed to waive the fines 'just this once.'
It was epic 
Oh I hope you get it sorted. I'm sure if you follow the advice on here, you will be ok. They can't tell you one thing on the phone then fine you because you followed their advice
If you don't get any joy I'd also go to citizens advice or you could threaten WatchDog, Or Radio 4s- You and Yours or The Money Programme are very good at helping people.
If I were you, (and some people might disagree) I'd go on holiday and spend the money. If they do end up charging you, which I'm sure they won't, they will have to take it in instalments.
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