Are our clients the only ones to suffer or have people missed what appears to be the latest HMRC inefficiency (or is it a cunning way to raise more revenue)?
Although we only received 3 or 4 Self Assessment Final Demands and Penalty Notices (for late delivery of Tax Returns) we have noted that:-
a) In the case of the Final Demands, these were all dated 16 February 2009 stating that "If we don't receive the amount due by 28 February we will add a further 5% surcharge" As none of them were received until the first week in March, the relevant taxpayers could not rectify their oversight in time to avoid the 5% surcharge. The cynic in me would wonder whether the delay in sending out the demands was deliberately engineered to maximise the revenue take by making sure the 5% surcharge would be levied.
b) In the case of the Late filing penalty notices these were dated 19 February but were only received this week (commencing 9 March). Such penalties are payable within 30 days of the date of the notice - not 30 days from the date of receipt.
I know it won't get me anywhere to complain direct to HMRC but I find it a disturbing trend that HMRC are dating documents but then not sending them out for two to three weeks. (I'm sure they wouldn't backdate documents would they!)
Moan over and now I'll get back down to productive work
peter cross