The tax authority has moved to reassure a concerned taxpayer
HMRC has addressed concerns about a potential scam, after an individual received a letter from the tax authority stating they owed £51 in unpaid tax. The recipient expressed concerns on social media, saying: “I received a letter from HMRC saying that I owe £51 in unpaid tax. So has someone else I know.”
“So has apparently a bunch of other people, all to the exact amount of £51 each. Is this a scam letter? And if not, how is it possible that everyone owes the exact same amount?” In a bid to clarify, HMRC asked if the letter was a P800 tax calculation letter or a notice of coding letter, to which the person replied they had received both.
The P800 letter stated they owed £51, and included a sheet explaining the tax calculation. When questioned by HMRC about repayment options, the person said they had been offered the choice to repay through monthly salary deductions over a year or as a one-off lump sum.
Adding to the confusion, they questioned why the outstanding tax related to the tax year April 2023 to 2024, rather than the current 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. HMRC provided some clarification, stating: “The current tax year is 2024 to 2025. If the underpayment happened last year, it can be collected through your tax code in 2025/26. I’d suggest signing into your personal tax account for further details.”
Despite this guidance, the taxpayer still felt the need to verify the authenticity of the letter, especially since others had reportedly received notices claiming they owed the same amounts. In response, HMRC confirmed: “The letter is genuine. I’m not entirely sure why that might be the case, sorry.
“Please check your online account for further details, before getting touch directly with our helpline or webchat advisers if needed.”
As a routine part of their operations, HMRC typically dispatches letters regarding overpaid or underpaid taxes from June until March of the subsequent tax year, reports Lancs Live.
There are several reasons you might end up paying the incorrect amount of tax, such as:
