Repayment claims are being challenged by HMRC, do not ignore them when they contact or you risk losing out
Many taxpayers are currently claiming tax refunds, as the covid-19 pandemic has turned normally profitable businesses into loss-making ones. Unfortunately, fraudsters are also trying to cash in,
by using the ID details of genuine businesses to claim fictitious refunds.
If you have submitted a tax refund claim that is unusual for your business, HMRC may write to ask you to confirm your identity. The letter asks you to call HMRC within 30 days on 0300 200 3310 and to quote your unique tax reference (UTR) number. You need to call HMRC yourself, as we cannot make this call on your behalf as your tax agent. Following this call, you may receive a second letter from HMRC, which requires a written response.
You will be asked to provide copies of three forms of ID to prove your name and address. You may also be asked to fill in a ‘repayment questionnaire’ that asks about the process you went through to submit the tax return, including who submitted it, for what fee and to where the repayment was authorised to be paid. Before you can get your tax repayment, you will need to complete an R38 tax refund form.
We can help you with these documents.
If you don’t respond to either letter from HMRC, you won’t receive the tax refund and your self-assessment account will be closed.
You may also be blocked from claiming any further Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants.