Andrew S

I just entered my tax details into the 1st Contact tax refund calculator, and it says I am due a £111 refund. They offer to claim this refund for me, but at a cost of £35! Is there any reason why I shouldn't just phone the tax office, and claim it myself? My shipping company, Anglo Pacific, want to get in on the action too. Why should I pay them when I can do it myself for free?

mika24me

I just called the inland revenue helpline on 0207 667 4001. They told me to print of form P85 (http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/cnr/p85_p85s.htm) and send it with my P45 to my tax office. They will then arrange for my tax rebate (no charge).

Seems simple enough

Mel

Siobhan Hanrahan

The reason why companies offer this service is because it is an easy way to
make money and most people have the impression that dealing with taxes is
too complicated and don't bother. To claim the refund is very straight
forward. The Inland Revenue people are actually quite nice.

Siobhan


"Andrew S" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I just entered my tax details into the 1st Contact tax refund
    > calculator, and it says I am due a £111 refund. They offer to claim
    > this refund for me, but at a cost of £35! Is there any reason why I
    > shouldn't just phone the tax office, and claim it myself? My shipping
    > company, Anglo Pacific, want to get in on the action too. Why should I
    > pay them when I can do it myself for free?
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Alan Collett

The Revenue also often get it wrong, which is why it sometimes pays to use people who know what they are doing ...

Also, tax is in fact one of the most complicated areas of the law - which probably explains why people at the Revenue have so many problems understanding and implementing the legislation (eg the introduction of the new tax credits provisions).

This said, the P85 isn't the most detailed of forms to complete, and most shouldn't have a problem with it.

Best regards.

Andrew S

I have filled in the p85(s) (I am not British), which is even simpler than the p85, and sent it off, so it will be interesting to see what happens!