Am I alone in feeling absolutely infuriated every time I ring HMRC.
I had a client who made the vat payment in error to the self assessment account but as they used the VAT no for reference it has never been allocated and is therefore in a suspense account somewhere as it has left their bank.
I called the VAT helpline who took the details and put a referral accross to trace the payment ( or so I Hope!)
I have since made almost daily phone calls for 3 weeks to the VAT helpline who insist they would not do that referral and therefore I need to speak to self assessment. They eventually agree to send a message to get it checked out and someone will call me back (Never happens).
I also make calls to the Self assessment helpline who quote, there are no notes on the file, therefore I have no idea you need to speak to VAT !! Also, eventually agreeing to send a message to get it checked out ????
Apparently I cannot have the telephone number for banking or indeed anyone else who could perhaps be of any use at all.
Sorry, needed a good moan while I continue to go round in circles
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Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
No, since they used the VAT reference rather than the Self assessment it has never made it to their self assessment account.
And no, I am sincerely hoping they never do make the same mistake again !!
__________________
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I had to laugh when I read your post, had I read it a few months ago I would have been in tears..... for I have a confession to make !
Not only do clients make mistakes in making payments to HMRC (all departments), but we mere bookkeepers.... namely Me can do the most stupid errors also !
I had incorrectly paid my VAT into my MLR account with HMRC and received a call from HMRC MLR department some 3/4 weeks after to ask me when I had made a payment of £1500 + when MLR is only £110
Could the error have occurred when I posted my payment at 2 am one morning when I was having one of those `cannot get to sleep no matter how many sheep I count jumping over my desk` (it does work sometimes !!).
I too had the run around ringing various HMRC departments to track down the errant payment, being reassured that as my VAT account shows in arrears I will not be subject to penalties. In all it took 6 weeks to clear up the mess.
So they paid VAT, but went via the SA portal, but gave the VAT reference? I am surprised it accepted the payment, as VAT numbers are 9 digits, and SA is 10.. you'd think it would kick up an error message?!
Glad to hear I am not alone in this circus. Although 6 weeks sounds hopeful. I began this mid October and I have been told not to expect a resolution before the 20th January.
I agree Michelle, it does seem odd that the payment was accepted. Unfortunately this client refuses to have the VAT payment set up as a direct debit as they like to be in control. Erm, not this time !!
__________________
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Sorry, needed a good moan while I continue to go round in circles
