HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has rolled out a new policy aimed at reducing the use of paper and avoiding confusion.
The substantial policy change affects how taxpayers learn about repayments.
Starting from 8 April, HMRC will cease issuing letters to individuals or their agents to announce a repayment for Corporation Tax or Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA).
Repayments will proceed as usual and will appear on the HMRC online services accessible to both agents and taxpayers.
There is no extra action required to secure these repayments.
HMRC explains that the move to discontinue confirmation letters comes in response to the confusion caused by letters arriving post-repayment, leading to a surge in enquiries for clarification from taxpayers.
How will I be affected?
You, as a taxpayer, will now need to pay closer attention to your online account with HMRC.
It is crucial to become acquainted with the HMRC online services, paying particular detail to the sections where tax repayment information will appear.
If you manage your tax affairs through an agent, it is vital that your agent checks their account frequently and updates you on any tax repayment communications.
Furthermore, stay vigilant for any letters about tax repayments in the future, as they could be scams.
HMRC and its taxpayers are often the targets of fraudulent schemes, especially when there’s a notable change (such as the discontinuation of a standard HMRC letter).
It is important you are wary of potential fraudulent letters – these might feature:
- An incorrect department address
- An invalid phone number or email address
- Incorrect personal information
If you still receive letters from HMRC about repayments and suspect fraud, it is important to report them to the department.
Keeping informed about HMRC’s communication methods is crucial to help identify and report any fraudulent letters and information.
For assistance with tax repayments and navigating HMRC communications, contact a member of our team for support.
