Overpayment tax credits

[stunner1901]

Hi

i have received a letter from HMRC stating we owe 668.75 in overpaid tax credits(family tax credits actually) which confused me

i phoned them back about it and they told me it is connection with a failure to notify a child leaving education in 2005!!!!

Am I right to say this should be statute barred as I have no recollection of any correspondence relating to this?

if so how do I go about contesting it or is the fact that it is HMRC a no go

thanks in advance

[nemesis45]

Re: Overpayment tax credits

Hi, " Government" debts do become statute barred there is a big BUT in that statement!
Government departments can and will pursue debts literally for ever and have sweeping
rights of recovery now without recourse to the courts such as Attachment of Earnings.

You can request the HMRC provides evidence of the over payment using the provisions
of the Data Protection Act 1998 by making a Subject Access Request for all the personal
data held by the department. HMRC does Not require the £10 statutory fee to be paid and has 40 days to comply.

The is one point with this type of debt it will not go away.

nem

[stunner1901]

Re: Overpayment tax credits

Hi, " Government" debts do become statute barred there is a big BUT in that statement!
Government departments can and will pursue debts literally for ever and have sweeping
rights of recovery now without recourse to the courts such as Attachment of Earnings.

You can request the HMRC provides evidence of the over payment using the provisions
of the Data Protection Act 1998 by making a Subject Access Request for all the personal
data held by the department. HMRC does Not require the £10 statutory fee to be paid and has 40 days to comply.

The is one point with this type of debt it will not go away.

nem

Thanks Nemesis

Do I just ring them and ask for that info then?

Are they obliged to take circumstances into consideration re payment arrangements if it is correct?

thanks again

[nemesis45]

Re: Overpayment tax credits

A written request is needed, you will wait for ever if you phone,
Yes circumstance will be considered, if you are on benefits the
process is to ask you how much you can reasonably afford to pay
without causing hardship.

An income/ expenditure statement may be required, so have one ready
prepared.

nem

[stunner1901]

Re: Overpayment tax credits

Will do and thanks again