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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think someone has reported me to HMRC?

39 replies

UpsyDaaaisy · 27/02/2019 15:29

Is it the norm to randomly receive a letter like this out of the blue or does it seem like someone has said something? For what it's worth I've always been single while claiming.

To think someone has reported me to HMRC?
OP posts:
LakieLady · 27/02/2019 15:31

They appear to be sending these out to all and sundry atm.

As long as you're doing everything by the book, ignore it.

BobTheDuvet · 27/02/2019 15:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AutumnCrow · 27/02/2019 15:39

I hate that line, 'friends or family see you as a couple'. I've been part of a 'couple' in the past, i e been going out with someone in a monogamous relationship, but where we've not lived together and not shared any finances or responsibilities.

It's a very misleading line, I think.

TheInvestigator · 27/02/2019 15:44

They send those to everyone every so often. It's not specific to you, don't worry.
If you're circumstance havnt changed then you can ignore it.

IncrediblySadToo · 27/02/2019 15:46

I don’t know, I’ve never claimed anything like that, but it’s very similar to the Single Person Council Tax letter they send out. My friend was really worried when she got it. I had a look at it for her and it seemed pretty standard. I think as Bob said it’s just a standard ‘smoke them out’ letter.

Is there anything about your life that you’re worried might lead someone to think you shouldn’t be claiming if?

Kezza8 · 27/02/2019 15:46

No. I think it is a "send to all" and if you have always been single whilst claiming then why would you worry?

lumpinmythroat · 27/02/2019 15:52

No it’s random.

Why shouldn’t HMRC that you’re still entitled to a benefit? Hmm

RagingWhoreBag · 27/02/2019 15:52

Agree Autumn - friends and family may well see you as a couple but that doesn’t mean that you live together or share finances etc.

I have a ‘DP’ of 7 years. We’ve been on/off a bit throughout that time, and have no financial links at all. He has a drawer at my house where he keeps a spare pair of pants and a clean t shirt but he doesn’t live here. He has his own house, where he lives with his DCs, pays his own bills and council tax etc. He earns very well but doesn’t owe me any of that because we’re not married and don’t live together.

So while friends and family (I hope) see us as a couple, it would be pretty shitty for HMRC to penalise me for his earnings, when I am worrying about which dishwasher tablets to buy as these are each 2p less, while he buys his DCs the latest iPhones and gadgets etc! Of course he treats me sometimes but he isn’t responsible for the running of my household or the upkeep of my kids.

donajimena · 27/02/2019 15:56

Raging I'm engaged but we aren't living together!! I think that line is outrageous.

Original poster
UpsyDaaaisy · 27/02/2019 15:58

Thank you everyone, I am definatley doing everything by the book.

Kezza I'm not worried, I was just curious.

Incredibly Not really no, my son's father stayed with me for a week inbetween moves a few months ago but that was it. He's never contributed or anything and we weren't a couple

OP posts:
Jojobythesea · 27/02/2019 16:00

It's part of a National Fraud Initiative and they are sent to any single person. Don't worry.

EmeraldShamrock · 27/02/2019 16:00

We receive similar, it is a random declaration.
When i lived in the UK a neighbour was reported, she received a letter to say they had photographic evidence of her DPs work van in the garden etc. I think they're direct if they think your fiddling.

AutumnCrow · 27/02/2019 16:07

You could be just dating someone, and have friends & family see you as a 'couple' in the UK. It starts at school ffs.

'Oooh, don't you make a lovely couple'. Yes, thanks gran, I've known him for about two hours and I'm still not sure about his terracotta beret.

ciderhouserules · 27/02/2019 16:08

That is ridiculous - if your friends and family regard you as a couple? I've been with DP for 10 years, we don't live together or have any finances together. He stays over at mine sometimes,and I at his. He comes for dinner most days. He is insured on my car - that's it!

Does that mean that HMRC regard me as 'not-single' even though I am not married or in a civil partnership? I am single!

RagingWhoreBag · 27/02/2019 16:11

she received a letter to say they had photographic evidence of her DPs work van in the garden etc. If it’s his work van surely he parks it in many gardens! My DP leaves his car at mine when he goes away on business so it’s not left unattended for two weeks. They really do use the most stupid examples of what constitutes being a couple!

wendz86 · 27/02/2019 16:12

I had one and definitely no one else bar the kids living with me, i just ignored.

Fink · 27/02/2019 16:14

I got something similar a while back which accused me of being in a relationship with Mr X Fink: my own brother! I was living with my parents and he was using the address for post although he didn't actually live there.

I was pretty worried as it was more threatening than yours, saying that unless I could prove my single status the TC would be stopped and they would be taking me to court to recover what I'd falsely claimed. And I was pissed off because it wasn't even HMRC, it had been outsourced to a private company. In the end, when I rang up, and said it was my brother and they said ok and didn't want any proof.

Mmmmbrekkie · 27/02/2019 16:21

Never received anything similar

prettybird · 27/02/2019 16:21

That comment about "friends and family seeing you as a couple" is just sooooooo stupid.

I went out with 3 serious boyfriends before dh. My friends and family "saw us a couple" - and yet we never lived together, nor were our finances in any way interwtined. Yes, we would stay over occasionally at each other's houses Hmm - sometimes for whole weekends Shock - but no, we weren't living together. Confused

Even with now dh, which started a long distance relationship, we were seen as a couple long before we lived together Confused

Cla9 · 27/02/2019 16:25

My friend got one of these recently. I think they’re sending them out randomly.
That bit about “if friends and family consider you a couple” is new! Interesting.

TruJay · 27/02/2019 16:28

My sister had this, absolutely no change in her circumstances but she was so worried someone had reported her for something. She rang up just to check and they just said oh no, no report at all, it’s just a check

TaxPerson · 27/02/2019 16:29

I work in tax (not in this area, but close enough). That looks to me like a standard letter. You need to ensure that you notify if your circumstances change

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 27/02/2019 16:33

Yes just a standard letter. My sister got one. I think they're saying. If you
(Collective you) not personal are doing anything you shouldn't speak out now before we catch you.

NannyRed · 27/02/2019 16:44

It’s a very regular letter, sent out to vast swathes of people.

Don’t give it a second thought.

moonfacebaby · 27/02/2019 16:50

I got one and that line about being seen as a couple really worried me.

I don’t live with my boyfriend- he stays over sometimes but has his own house and we don’t share anything financially.

I think the wording is ridiculous and designed to scare you...

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