Partner has huge tax debt

[Hambalam]

Hello,

Apologies if this is a bit rambley but my world has turned upside down in a matter of hours.

My partner of 9 years confessed to me today that he owes approximately £150,000 in unpaid income tax. HMRC are going to make him bankrupt. I'm absolutely beside myself with worry. We have 2 young children. Is he going to go to jail over this? I can't sleep and I feel sick.

I've searched online for hours but some sites say yes he's liable to be prosecuted and others say prosecution is very rare.

I don't know what I'm asking really. I just can't believe this is happening.

Oh dear, what a mess. But this hasn't come out of nowhere. Questions you need to know the answers to, whether or not you answer on this thread:

Are you aware of the circumstances that has led up to this and has he done all he can to put a payment plan in place and keep up with it? Has he been getting advice from his accountant?

Does he still have a business and is it paying him a decent income?

What has happened to the money that should have been paid to HMRC?

Do you own a house together and if so would you be able to buy his share off him so you don't lose the house?

Probably worth posting on the MSE forum and searching for HMRC in the bankruptcy board for more experiences than you might see on here

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/bankruptcy-living-with-it

Hi Hambalam, definitely post on the mse link above if you want to know more. It's anonymous like here, the debt boards on mse are non judgemental and we have several posters who work/volunteer in debt advice in their real lives so they know what they are talking about, plus many posters who have been in all sorts of debt themselves. It's not just for practical knowledge (and you can ask about literally any detail and people will help), but also emotional support. You can do a single post, post as you need help or you can also start a diary in the diaries section to reflect on how things are going/document your progress (or write anything you want really :) and other posters will cheer you on, commiserate when you are having a bad day and share their experiences. They/we are a friendly and knowledgeable bunch - I do hope you post, in the meantime, sending virtual hugs- kimwp.

You need to speak to this organisation. Its the business equivalent of a free debt advice service.
https://www.businessdebtline.org/