Should I contact HMRC re self-assessment?

[TaurusTheBull]

Hi,

I don't think I owe any tax for 2023/4, but I read somewhere that if one earns more than £10,000 in bank interest, one is obliged to.

As I cannot find my gateway ID, I am hence faced with writing a snail mail that will probably go un-answered. As HMRC must get my bank interest and DWP feeds anyway, there should surely be no requirement for me to tell them that I owe them nothing.

On the other hand, informing HMRC that I have a CGT loss to carry forward would be useful, but it seems only they who control whether they require me to fill in a return.

Should I bother even contacting them?

Taurus

[Gersemi]

Use this tool https://www.gov.uk/check-if-you-need-tax-return to see if you need to submit a tax return.

However, yes, if you have income of over £10,000 from savings (not in an ISA) you should submit a return. I think it's worth to claim the loss anyway. I never thought I'd use Capital Gains losses I racked up, but then they reduced the Capital Gains exemption from £12,300 to £3000!

If you haven't changed your email address it looks like you could recover your details using this tool https://www.access.service.gov.uk/accou ... our-emails

[TaurusTheBull]

Thanks for the reply.

I had no joy using that link, and furthermore, it implies that one must communicate with HMRC online.

I am old school, and am only interested in communicating with HMRC using pen and ink. I don't believe that that has been outlawed, yet.

I will write to them, registered post and photo-copied, to admit my technical requirement to fill in a self-assessment form, despite not, to my knowledge, owing any income tax (one of the advantages of having simple finances is that no accountant is needed, one investigates and learns the ropes).

I will say that if they fail to respond, then that is their prerogative, but that I will have met my obligations, and will also put on written record my CGT losses for 2023/4, to be carried forward (the "request" to do this seems irrelevant, because, by law, HMRC cannot refuse it, as far as I can see).

Cheers

Taurus

[DrFfybes]

I am old school, and am only interested in communicating with HMRC using pen and ink. I don't believe that that has been outlawed, yet.

I will write to them, registered post and photo-copied,

Taurus

I would avoid sending anything that requires a signature. If the post arrives in a van at 7am for tipping through the post hatch and there is nobody there to sign, it either gets returned or goes elsewhere looking for someone to sign. Same things with Councils - it took 4 days for an urgent parcel to reach me when I worked there as the muppet who sent it required a signature rather than it just going through the mail hatch and up to my office an hour later. Our First Aid certs were also sent "signed for", same issue.

[didds]

get a proof of posting. ISTR "legally" its deemed to be delivered two working days after posting (1st class anyway).

[TaurusTheBull]

Thanks.

Yes, proof of posting/delivery is tantamount when using snail mail, but on balance, I prefer that to online. How long the GPO receipts last before fading into nothingness is another matter (I guess it could be photo-copied), but the main thing is to know that HMRC are in receipt of the letter, and information contained therein.

It's all in the game...

[kiloran]

I am old school, and am only interested in communicating with HMRC using pen and ink. I don't believe that that has been outlawed, yet.

Taurus

Good luck with that!
I sent a letter to HMRC on 01Nov23 about tax due on my mum's estate. No reply yet.
Their loss.

--kiloran

[genou]

...and will also put on written record my CGT losses for 2023/4, to be carried forward (the "request" to do this seems irrelevant, because, by law, HMRC cannot refuse it, as far as I can see).

You are clearly in time to claim these losses, but it is a claim. HMRC don't refuse, they just expire if unclaimed.

[TaurusTheBull]

I sent my letter to HMRC, recorded. I "requested" carrying forward my CGT loss, and said that, by my calculations, I don't owe any income tax.

It seems that they don't sign for receipt, possibly un-manned.

Therefore, I foresee two possible outcomes:-

1. HMRC received it, and either send me the self-assessment forms, or don't. They may of course just ignore me, but my letter will be on their files.

2 HMRC don't receive it. In which case, no problem, I met my obligations and have proof of it. And if I take big CGT profits within my allowable range this year or next, I won't even bother telling HMRC, because I will be within my allowable limits.

Taurus

[Adamski]

My guess is they'll write to you and ask you to register for self assessment and do a tax return. Its all computerised these days and over £10k of tax interest will trigger a tax return. Sending a letter is pointless. Just my personal opinion. Cheers Adam

[TaurusTheBull]

You seem to have misunderstood me, Adam.

I registered with HMRC during Covid, when I was trapped in the UK. I have a UTR number, but only need to fill in a self-assessment form on their say so.

I've met my obligations, and have the proof. What they do, or do not do, is no longer my concern.

My way was the only possible solution, because I do not know my Gateway number, and cannot retrieve it. So, even if I wanted to, it's impossible to file online. And if postage gets ignored, it's pointless sending in paper forms unless they are sent to me and I'm instructed to.

HMRC is yet another example of a government leviathon not fit for purpose.

Taurus