On 13 Sep 2016 at 6:54pm Meldrew wrote:
I have to share this one
I have been doing SA online for years
HMRC have introduced a new login system since the last time called gov uk verify
It is the most awful, time-wasting experience I have ever had - it is cold shower time, stiff drink, sedatives time, go and lie down time
If you don't have a passport or a driving licence, then life is just about to get tougher
Spent ages on the Experian site - they are one of a few "certified", government approved identity checkers
You will need landlines, mobiles and a huge amount of patience, plus a pencil and paper plus an interpreter
"Congratulations, you are certified" it said
Back to HMRC login - "we are unable to verify your identity" Bugger
Back to HMRC online helpdesk, endless number of options, long, long wait to speak to someone
"Ah, you need to login through Experian now" - thanks a bunch
Only gov.uk and HMRC could dream up something like this. This is designed to frustrate and probably make sure you forget to pay the 30p you owe them so they can send you another penalty notice
They entice you into online returns then crap on you like this
This is supposed to be the bee's knees, the security system to end all others - we shall see
So National insurance number, unique tax reference number, date of birth, mother's maiden name and favorite meal aren't enough to let you pay the sodding taxes
Horrible, horrible
On 13 Sep 2016 at 8:49pm Tim wrote:
Oooh I understand completely. I refuse to do my return online although this year they didn't send me enough paperwork (which I suspect was deliberate in order to get me to use online).
Last year I made an innocent mistake and they made me feel like a criminal - I had to endure a 30 minute telephone interview with a very officious woman and pay a ridiculous rate of interest on my underpayment.
On 13 Sep 2016 at 9:37pm Lestor Piggot wrote:
Are you talking about Tax???? What's that!!........oh I know it is what we pay every day to HMRC in some way.....even if we all get cash in hand!!!!!
On 13 Sep 2016 at 9:40pm Meldrew wrote:
Tim, I share your grief
These out of wedlock people like to set traps for the unwary
One is called payment on account
I had never heard of it so I didn't do anything about it
Brown envelope arrives with penalty charges and interest
Yes, innocent mistake, human error. These people are like the fat spiders, it makes their day
Apple, Amazon, Google, come on down - individual taxpayer owes 30p and you are done for
I suspect that the longer you put off online, the harder it is going to be
The odds are loaded in HMRC's favour - when did you last get a letter to say your return was spot-on? Even when you depart this life, HMRC will have their nose in your paperwork
On 13 Sep 2016 at 10:57pm Clifford wrote:
Out of interest, although I don't intend to complete my self-assessment till January 2017, I just put in my ID and the original password they gave me. I got straight in. Have I done something wrong Meldrew?
On 14 Sep 2016 at 4:21am Horseman7 wrote:
Like Clifford, I just couldn't resist having a go..... I almost got straight in: the old Gateway login was fine, I just had to enter a 6 digit number they pinged to my mobile and I was in. Also like Clifford, I promptly logged out. September is far too early to be doing such things.
On 14 Sep 2016 at 7:46am Tim wrote:
On a related matter, what exactly is the trigger for doing self assessment? I got caught in the loop years ago when my salary was barely £40k and have had to complete a return ever since. I know others, who now earn significantly more than me, yet have never had to complete a return?
On 14 Sep 2016 at 9:37am @Tim wrote:
It's not related to the amount, it's related to how you pay tax.
If you're self employed or have a second income over £2.5k (renting property, savings etc) you need to complete one.
Check it out here »
On 14 Sep 2016 at 10:00am Tax Beneficiary wrote:
I had to go through the login process a couple of weeks ago, to allow HMRC to make a payment of a £2,000 tax rebate direct into my bank account within three days. They gave me the option of not signing up to the online system, but advised me that if I chose that way of sorting my tax affairs out, I would have to wait up to three months before they sent me a cheque.
What's not to like?
On 14 Sep 2016 at 10:22am Ed Can Do wrote:
If you're being asked to complete a tax return and all the money you earn is earned income (i.e. pay from a job where you are an employee and have tax taken at source) then you can contact HMRC and let them know this is the case and they'll stop making you do them. Also not experienced any issues with the Government Gateway login here.
On 14 Sep 2016 at 10:43am Tim wrote:
Thanks Ed, that is helpful. I have had 19 years of pain!
On 14 Sep 2016 at 10:49am @Tim wrote:
It should be pretty obvious though Tim, the tax adjustment on your return should have been zero for the last 19 years... If it wasn't there are reasons you need to fill one out, suggested you just have a chat with them (on the phone). HMRC have never been anything but helpful in my experience.
On 14 Sep 2016 at 11:28am Tim wrote:
Valuing my private medical insurance (worth approx £1500) was always an issue, the tax for which was always effectively paid in arrears by a tax adjustment following receipt of my P11D in July. I phoned HMRC many, many times but they were adamant that I had to complete a return.
On 14 Sep 2016 at 12:16pm Snail Mail wrote:
The address is - Pay As You Earn and Self Asessment. H.M Revenue and Customs . BX9 1AS .United Kingdom. So make them work and do it all on paper and the Post Office.
On 14 Sep 2016 at 1:04pm Ed Can Do wrote:
Have you been ticking the box to collect any unpaid tax through your tax code? That would at least mean you wouldn't be making payments in January and July and filling in the employment section from a P60 and P11D shouldn't take more than five minutes, it's just the endless clicking "No" to every other question on the form that takes the time. 