Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience of appealing against a late CIS return penalty? As the Contractor we registered for the scheme from 1/3/12 as we intended using sub contractors on a large job. I received a CIS300 on 28/3/12 requsting that I complete and return the form by the 19th of March!!
As the work hadn't been completed I immediately did a Nil return on line. I thought this would be the end of the matter until the following month. I have now received a £100 late filing penalty charge. I consider this to be most unfair and my boss isn't too pleased either.
Has anyone else had this experience? any advice would be most helpful.
Always worth appealing. I can't remember the address, but you could look it up online. We recently got two charges reversed even though the charges in our case could have been considered reasonable. As this is your first return and you hadn't yet withheld any CIS, then I think you have a case.
Just bang a formal appeal back to them stating your case, as you have done here and enclosing copies of all relevant documentation. As a quick internet search will show, these penalties are designed to raise money. On top of that they are badly administered, out of proportion and a waste of everyone's time.
Unless there is something more to the case, I'm sure you will be successful.
I missed the deadline for a CIS return in December - it was a nil return and it just got missed! I wrote an appeal against the charge explaining the circumstances, pointing out that it was a nil return and that it was the first time I had ever submitted late and after about 2 months my appeal was upheld. I would say that it is well worth writing an appeal, you have nothing to lose and it might get you some brownie points with the boss if the charge is dropped!!
I've appealed many CIS penalties for my clients and usually with success. I'm sure if you put your case in writing and make a reasonable point you'll be fine. Good luck!
