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Just a quickie. I tried ringing HMRC about this but after waiting 45 minutes to get through the operartive couldnt hear a word I was saying and hung up.
I'm self employed and the end of last year I filled in my self assessment online and it told me how much I had to pay by 31st Jan?
Yesterday I had a letter from HMRC and the amount they told me to pay was a few hundred quid more than previously. Today Ive gone online to pay and it told me to pay the lower amount, which Ive done. I'm worried that HMRC will fine me for not paying the amount in the letter.
Whats your professional advice please?
I'm not an accountant, just been self employed for years. Without knowing the details it's hard to say but it doesn't sound like something that would result in a fine. Also payments can be deferred anyway due to covid so I really can't see it being an issue. If you truly are losing sleep over it you can always pay the higher amount then you should get it back as a rebate if it is too much. I wouldn't trust HMRC for that option, though.
Are they asking for payment on account for FY 20/21 in addition to what you owe for FY 19/20?
Either way, login to your account and pay what is showing as owed there. You have until 31 Jan to pay so don’t stress too much.
I’ve been doing SA for 20 years and this year it’s been a bit weird. Good luck.
Thanks. Both the higher and lower figure include last years tax due and on account due 31st Jan. Also included is both classes of NI. I'm dont trust HMRC to pay back anything I may overpay either.
Just to add, I'd pay whatever it says when put your numbers in online, not what is in a letter. Save a copy of the online stuff when you pay.
There should only be one figure if you log into your account. What does the calculation from your SA submission say?
Most recent letter i had was asking for way too much money. Checked online and different amount shown as due so I'm paying that on the 31st. Is rather disconcerting though as I'm rubbish at maths and trust them to ask for the right money. They do repay money overpaid though. They repaid me a few hundred last year. No idea why i had over paid though and now they are saying I've underpaid my last lot even though I submitted my return well in advance of any payments due so they should have known how much to ask me for. Doesn't give me much confidence I'm paying the correct amounts!
I'd go with paying the online amount, but try again on the phone line. If your tax affairs are fairly simple it is worth getting someone to check it for peace of mind. They can and do make mistakes sometimes.
I’m dont trust HMRC to pay back anything I may overpay either.
Buy more tinfoil...