HMRC has explained its procedures around unpaid tax after a person was concerned to receive a letter from the tax authority. The person asked over social media: « 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? »
HMRC responded to first ask if the letter was a P800 tax calculation letter or a notice of coding letter. The person responded to say they had actually received both of these letters.
They explained: « I received two letters from HMRC that arrived together today. It was the P800 that says I owe the £51 though (or I think its a P800, it has a sheet that says ‘Understanding your P800 tax calculation’ with it anyway). »
HMRC asked for further details, asking if the letter indicated how the amount would be collected. The person said the letter outlined that it could be repaid in monthly amounts from their wages automatically over 12 months, or they could pay it off in one go.
They were also confused as the unpaid tax was for the tax year from April 2023 to 2024, rather than for the current 2024 to 2025 tax year.
Offering some words of advice, HMRC said: « 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. »
But the person insisted on asking if the letter was real, as they found it suspicious that they knew others had been told they owed the same amount.
HMRC said: « 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. »
HMRC generally sends out letters about overpaid or unpaid tax amounts between June and March of the following tax year.
You could pay the wrong amount of tax for various reasons, such as:
- You were put on the wrong tax code, for example because HMRC had the wrong information about your income
- You finished one job, started a new one and were paid by both in the same month
- You started receiving a pension at work
- You received Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
