I have had two telephone calls this morning regarding figures for child tax credits which need to be finalised by 31 July. I had 3 calls on Monday as well
I was wondering if I am doing something wrong or if all accountants are getting last minute panic calls.
Replies (5)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
Not here
In all my cases I have been encouraging clients to renew well before the 31st July deadline as the 'phone line for renewal, on past experience, has always been a problem as in long time on hold before getting to speak to anyone.
Fortunately this year there is an online renewal process available for most tax credits claimants and that seems to have worked well so far.
I've also found that (in addition to DMGbus' response) RTI has helped the situation.
I've had a few clients with basic P60 details that HMRC already hold and have received renewal notices saying if the figures are correct and no other earnings in year then renewal will be automatic.
I wouldn't have said you're doing anything wrong, per say.
Were you aware that these clients claimed tax credits? Had they explained they needed their accounts finalising in order to meet the 31st July deadline? Did they bring their records in on time?
Radio/TV adverts have been reminding people of the deadline for nearly 6 months now so if the client has chosen to wait so long that's their fault.
Tax Credits
I'm finding that RTI hasn't helped the tax credit renewal situation. A lot of my clients who receive tax credits also make pension contributions and make Gift Aid payments and trying to get the tax credit staff to override the RTI P60 figure is not easy! Also some HMRC staff lack basic knowledge of what deductions are allowable.
The tax credit office appears to be in total chaos. I made an appeal against a tax credit award at the end of the March and they've told me not to follow it up until 19 September!!!
.
I'm finding that RTI hasn't helped the tax credit renewal situation. A lot of my clients who receive tax credits also make pension contributions and make Gift Aid payments and trying to get the tax credit staff to override the RTI P60 figure is not easy! Also some HMRC staff lack basic knowledge of what deductions are allowable.
The tax credit office appears to be in total chaos. I made an appeal against a tax credit award at the end of the March and they've told me not to follow it up until 19 September!!!
I appreciate that views may differ as it would depend on the individual clients as to whether RTI has helped.
I definitely agree that the staff lack basic knowledge and the appeals process is ridiculous!
Deadline extended to 6 August 2014
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-time-for-tax-credits-renewals
For some bizarre reason NOT shown on the following "obvious" page to announce this welcome relief:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/index.htm
Further, a search on HMRC website came up with no obvious results about this.
Fortunately "Google works, HMRC don't".