The Lemon Fool

You've got to love HMRC. They sent me an estimate of 16-17 (and a large refund cheque) last September, which was wildly wrong. I did a self assessment tax return in November, and sent them some money back. Now I get an annual tax statement which requotes the September figures. I ring, and they say don't worry about it, we don't update with the SA actual data!

I think I've paid the right tax, but it would be nice for that to be documented.

JohnB wrote:You've got to love HMRC. They sent me an estimate of 16-17 (and a large refund cheque) last September, which was wildly wrong. I did a self assessment tax return in November, and sent them some money back. Now I get an annual tax statement which requotes the September figures. I ring, and they say don't worry about it, we don't update with the SA actual data!

I think I've paid the right tax, but it would be nice for that to be documented.

I think this is the “Annual Tax Summary” that most people are advised to ignore. In fact https://www.gov.uk/guidance/annual-tax-summary includes:

The new tax summary is only for information. You don’t need to contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) or your employer to check it.

What they suggest is to check your online digital tax thingummy. If you file on paper, as do I, don’t you receive tax calculations and statements of account etc?

Ta, its puff rather than a receipt then. I file online, so the calculation is done in front of you, and you can save it as a PDF before committing the return, and saving that as PDF too

I wish they'd do a correct annual statement, even it were delayed 6 months to get it accurate

What additional information would an annual statement provide over and above the online calculation , which should be definitive?

I like pieces of paper for my records. It would be a handy single sheet summary of tax and NI, if it were true

JohnB wrote:I like pieces of paper for my records. It would be a handy single sheet summary of tax and NI, if it were true

If you filed directly on HMRC's system ( i.e. not through third party software ) then you can go to your SA account and under previously submitted returns you will see the option "Get your SA302 tax calculation" . There is a print option.

The Annual Tax Summary is pointless, though. What a waste of money.

They might as well send everyone the same leaflet, saying "If you paid £100 of tax, then £X went on defence etc.".

Scott.