My first "Grumpy Old Man" rant.

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HowardQ
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My first "Grumpy Old Man" rant.

#1 Post by HowardQ » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:43 pm

Since I took early retirement at the end of June, I've not found the time for a standard "Grumpy Old Man" rant.
So here goes the first one.
I have been working all my life and for the last 37 years in a Local Authority job, (so not like I've been self employed working in a tax haven or something).
Throughout that time I have had the standard tax code in use at the time, what used to be called Married Man's Allowance or Standard Persons Allowance for all normal folk, whatever it is these days.
I have moved straight from a Council job to receiving a Council Pension, that I have been paying into for the last 37 years.
My last normal pay day from the Council was on the 18th of June, I also got a P45 on the same day, a copy was also sent to the Tax Office and the Pension people at the same time.
These two bodies have had 6 weeks to work out that I am not an alien, who has been self employed in a tax haven, so why do they have to pretend that I am and take all my tax allowance away this month.
It is bad enough having lost most of your income, so why do you have to always pay full 20% tax on everything you earn on youir first pension pay day on Code (OT M1).
I will earn much less in this second half of the year than in the first 6 months, so why in straightforward circumstances like mine, do I have to get hammered with full tax. My tax code will stay exactly the same until I'm 65 and I should be getting a bit of a tax refund for the next few months now I am earning much less, so why can't things just roll on with the same code and things will sort themselves out? :smt017
I suppose their answer is "we take the piss because we can", or some PC official translation of that.
I am OK because I have savings to cover the difference, but why do they have to do this, I can see no reason for the code being changed. :smt009
Rant over .............................. sorry for bothering everybody!
HowardQ

Take a ride on the Dark Side :smt004 :smt096 :smt004

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Samray
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#2 Post by Samray » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:59 pm

Think yourself lucky that you aren't a female and losing a few years pension into the bargain.
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

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Sleepyboy
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#3 Post by Sleepyboy » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:24 pm

Phone up HMRC on Monday and explain to them what has happened.

I had an issue recently when I changed jobs and the two employers had both submitted full year P11Ds, leaving me with a supposed £2.5k underpaid tax bill.

I called them and was pleasantly surprised to find (albeit an age in the holding queue) that I was talking to someone helpful who could see the issue and action the changes immediately! I then had to call them again on another issue and yet again found someone helpful who could action the changes required immediately.

I was very sceptical before but have to give credit where it is due - if they can help, they will.

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HowardQ
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#4 Post by HowardQ » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:57 pm

I will try again on Monday, but I did spend 45 mins waiting and pushing buttons on an 0845 number about a week and a half ago when I tried to contact them and clarify everything in advance.
I know it will all get sorted eventually, but I just can't understand why they have to do this, when they know everything about me.
HowardQ

Take a ride on the Dark Side :smt004 :smt096 :smt004

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Willopotomas
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#5 Post by Willopotomas » Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:38 pm

The simple answer is it's a massive interest free loan for the government. Imagine how many others are in the same boat, and how much extra HMRC is raking in. They'll rebate the difference at years end, but by then you've gotten by living on less.

Tax avoidance. I can see why people do it, and I would myself if I could get away with it. It's not just the amount they take off us, it's what it's spent on that boils my piss... But that's another rant for another day. :smt003
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flatlander
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#6 Post by flatlander » Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:18 pm

They assess your income on a monthly basis and somehow join it up, allegedly, with returns etc
Like you said that you have been a constant for 37 years and suddenly it changed so you get a flag raised on sOme automated system which then needs checking
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

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blinkey501
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#7 Post by blinkey501 » Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:16 am

HowardQ wrote:I will try again on Monday, but I did spend 45 mins waiting and pushing buttons on an 0845 number about a week and a half ago when I tried to contact them and clarify everything in advance.
I know it will all get sorted eventually, but I just can't understand why they have to do this, when they know everything about me.

I put a post up and decided to delete it after about the tax office. they are all interlinked.(piss in the same pot)
I have not recieved my renewell pack for the child tax credits, and i have tried on two or three occasions to get in contact on a nice premium rate number.
When i did ring the automated service once they said they was busy and just cut me off.
I have looked on line to try and resolve this issue but i can't find anything to email them and let them know.
Last year they fooked up my claim so i had to pay a load back so coincidently i recieved eight quid a week.
I am almost certain they do this just to dishearten people so they think is it worth the hassle.
I am less than impressed
Tolerance will be our undoing.

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flatlander
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#8 Post by flatlander » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:11 am

For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

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blinkey501
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#9 Post by blinkey501 » Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:01 am

It looks like i will have to post a letter geoff, I can't afford to keep ringing from my mobile.
I had to go to the tax office in gainsborough a couple of years ago has i had not paid enough tax with a second job i had.
The people said use this phone to ring and they will recognise the number and pick up straight away...SO
They know if it is a mobile,landline number?
I might be a bit naive but don't the peolple with these premium rate numbers get a share of the cost of the call :smt017
If thats the case you can understand why they leave people waiting :smt076
Tolerance will be our undoing.

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