HMRC fault creates ‘heart-stopping moments’

Super-efficient taxpayers who have filed their 2007/08 self-assessment may be left reeling when they log on to the HMRC website to check how much tax they owe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) said today.

An error on the site means the amount shown for those who have already filed their return, due on January 31, will be shown the amount owed over the next 13 months.

The organisation said the website will show the amount due on July 31, as well as payments due in January and July 2009 for the 2007/08 and 2008/09 tax years.

Anita Monteith, technical manager at ICAEW’s tax faculty, said the website could give many taxpayers a headache. “In the current credit crunch climate, that’s the last type of news anybody would want,” she added.

“Several tax payers might get on the phone to the HMRC helpline, wasting time and worrying unnecessarily.

“By clicking through to the next screen, though, a full breakdown of which amounts are due on which dates will show. I urge people not to ruse their payments but to check carefully how much is due when to avoid over payment,” she said.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008