Lets talk about HMRC

[albion]

https://amp.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/26/hmrc-fines-low-earners-fined-no-tax-return

Are they really 'protecting the public' ?

It almost looks the opposite by going after the 'low hanging fruit' who did not even owe any tax but likely found the process either too daunting or were simply unaware HMRC wanted to be inundated with costly paperwork.

'There are now calls to go back to an old system in which anyone who did not pay any tax was effectively spared a fine. '

 

[Beebo]

Self assessment is a nightmare.
It’s overly complicated and frankly if you want to take the risk of not declaring income the rewards seem to outweigh the risks.

 

[C R]

Self assessment is a nightmare.
It’s overly complicated and frankly if you want to take the risk of not declaring income the rewards seem to outweigh the risks.

I am PAYE but have to do self assessment because of job benefits that mean I get a P11D, so have to fill in a self assessment. The forms are massively confusing and even for something as simple as mine it is very easy to make mistakes.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Agree.

I'm well educated, numerate and speak fluent bureaucracy but still find the process baffling.

 

[spen666]

Isn't HMRC part of the state and therefore answerable to the Government who are ultimately responsible for HMRCs actions.

 

[BoldonLad]

Over twenty years ago now, I made a mistake whilst completing tax form for HMRC. This resulted in me underpaying tax, by a very small amount (about £50 if I recall correctly). I was deluged with threatening letter, charged interest on the outstanding amount. But, regularly I read articles in the media of “companies” becoming bankrupt and owing tens of thousands (and even more) in tax/VAT/NI. Often the owners of said companies are repeat offenders. Priorities appear to be somewhat misplaced.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Isn't HMRC part of the state and therefore answerable to the Government who are ultimately responsible for HMRCs actions.

How touchingly naive.

 

[Psamathe]

Self assessment is a nightmare.
It’s overly complicated and frankly if you want to take the risk of not declaring income the rewards seem to outweigh the risks.

Weird thing is that for many, HMRC already know your income, interest, tax deducted, etc. so then it just becomes a test to see if you can reproduce the definitive numbers they already have.

Ian

 

[Ian H]

Self assessment is a nightmare.
It’s overly complicated and frankly if you want to take the risk of not declaring income the rewards seem to outweigh the risks.

Agree.

I'm well educated, numerate and speak fluent bureaucracy but still find the process baffling.

Accounts are not my strong point. I've always paid people to do mine. Stuart sends me a reminder, I bundle up my figures and give them to him.

 

[Bazzer]

FYI, It was originally called Simplified Assessing, hence the intials SA. But then it got messy and the original title no longer fitted.