HMRC Small Business Compliance AAAARGH!!

[Damp Logs]

We received a letter this morning from them checking that ‘you’re paying national minimum wage correctly’

It’s addressed to a limited company that was dissolved in 2015, and which we have had no involvement with since 2010, to an address that was never(directly) connected to the company, and even that spelt incorrectly………

I thought I’d call the number on the letter - no number, no email, only an address

A quick google showed a number - ‘this helpline is closed till 4th September’


WTF - it’s no wonder this country is going down the tubes

Should I try to locate my former staff and check they’re being paid?????

[Eric Mc]

Write back to the address on the letter explaining what you have said here. Make sure you have a copy of your reply.

[paddy1970]

Sounds like a scam to me...

[DaveA8]

Make sure you don't sucked in to this by virtue of responding. I would be tempted to scribble "gone away" and give them the Liquidators details without saying who you are.
As for just checking, they're not but they need a reason to be dicks.
Whatever you do, do not engage with them as it's not your concern

[Damp Logs]

DaveA8 said:

Make sure you don't sucked in to this by virtue of responding. I would be tempted to scribble "gone away" and give them the Liquidators details without saying who you are.
As for just checking, they're not but they need a reason to be dicks.
Whatever you do, do not engage with them as it's not your concern

Think that’s just what I’ll do - file under I for irrelevant

And I knew I’d get a better answer on here than from anyone in hmrc

Thanks

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

Write back to the address on the letter explaining what you have said here. Make sure you have a copy of your reply.

People can't write letters any more, let alone post them.

[Eric Mc]

Damp Logs said:

Think that’s just what I’ll do - file under I for irrelevant

And I knew I’d get a better answer on here than from anyone in hmrc

Thanks

Dumb.

If it is genuine, and it very well may be - the absolutely worst thing to do is to ignore it.

Have you got an accountant?

Pass it by him/her and get some proper professional advice.

Many tax cases are so much worse for the taxpayer because they chose to ignore correspondence from HMRC.

[Countdown]

Eric Mc said:

Dumb.

If it is genuine, and it very well may be - the absolutely worst thing to do is to ignore it.

Have you got an accountant?

Pass it by him/her and get some proper professional advice.

Many tax cases are so much worse for the taxpayer because they chose to ignore correspondence from HMRC.

The Company was dissolved in 2015. Who will HMRC "go after"?

And given that you're only required to keep financial records for 7 years why would the OP be expected to provide any information?

[Damp Logs]

I usually take Eric’s comments on board, but in this case I’ve binned the letter.

We sold the company in 2010 and resigned as directors, so even if I wanted to respond, I have no authority to do so.

The company has never been registered at my address, so not sure where they would get that information.

It was really just a vent on the inefficiency and/or ineptitude of hmrc……

But thanks all for your input

[megaphone]

Check the company details on Companies House website. You will likely still be listed under 'people' and your address may be listed.

https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...

Edited by megaphone on Friday 25th August 09:33

[Chamon_Lee]

I would also be tempted to ignore it.
The level of incompetence at HMRC is absolutely incredible having had personal experience of it.

[Quattromaster]

I got the same letter from HMRC on Weds as well, straight in the bin.

I know what I pay my lads, and it’s above any minimums.

[L1OFF]

I had something similar but about NI payments for a company that I was a director of but had been wound up (with no outstanding debts) 4 years previously. I had a number of letters chasing this so I thought I'd better do something about it so I phoned them, told them the company had been wound up with the date and that I was previously a director.
I was then told they can't talk to me about it because I was no longer a director, I told them as I was no longer a director then please stop
sending silly letters. Not heard anything since.

[Eric Mc]

Struck off companies can be reinstated.