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The tax authority said you may want to check your account
HMRC has issued a clarification regarding its regulations, saying taxpayers may want to check over their bank accounts. The guidance came after an enquiry from a customer concerning payments.
Writing on March 25, the person questioned the tax authority via social media at approximately 1.15pm: “I set up a payment plan and payment is due to be taken out today. It’s not been taken out yet – does this sometimes happen later in the day?” You can arrange a payment plan to settle a tax bill through regular instalments. HMRC replied to the individual confirming this does happen on occasion.
The organisation said: “Payments don’t always show as taken first thing and may be processed later in the day. If it hasn’t been taken by the end of today, it’s worth checking your bank account again tomorrow.”
To arrange a payment plan, you will need to have:
- The appropriate reference number for the tax you cannot pay, such as your unique tax reference number. These particulars will typically be on any correspondence you have received from HMRC regarding the outstanding tax
- Your UK bank account details – you must be authorised to set up a direct debit on this account
- Information about your income and spending, or your company’s income and spending if you owe company tax.
You can contact HMRC if you need help
HMRC also informed the person what steps to take if the sum had still not been collected the next day. The organisation said: “If it’s still not showing after that, you can contact us to make sure everything is in place.”
They provided the person with a link to a page on the Government website with contact information for those having difficulties making a payment. If you have a question about income tax, you can ring HMRC on 0300 200 3300.
The lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You can use this number to get help regarding your tax code, or if you have queries about a tax overpayment or underpayment. You can also get help on this line with issues related to tax on savings, including refunds, or about ISAs.
