Hornbeam Highlights 34

Urgent Help

In the last couple of days two important sources of help for our more hard pressed clients have come to our attention.

1. The Business Payments Support Service

If you have always been a good taxpayer, if you run a business (self-employed, partner or Limited company), and because of cash flow problems are now having difficulty meeting an Income Tax, Corporation Tax, VAT or PAYE payment as it becomes due. Because of cash flow problems associated with the credit crunch or the recession, you can ring HMRC Business Payments Support Service on 0845 302 1435 and obtain upto 3 months deferral without penalty. You will need to have ready

• Your tax reference number
• Details of the tax that you are having difficulty paying
• Basic details of your business incomings and outgoings (You will need to make a convincing case for paying up the full amount of the tax within the three months)

A recent article in construction news suggested that 20,000 businesses have been given help under this scheme.

2. Potential unclaimed Children's Tax Credit for 2002-03

The year before Tax Credits were introduced there was a different non-means tested allowance that was available and was never advertised. You could be entitled to as much as £1,040 as long as you claim before 31st January 2009.

You may be able to claim for the year 2002-03 if the following conditions apply:

• You have a child born between 6th April 1986 and 5th April 2003
• The child lived with you for all or part of 2002-03
• You worked and paid tax for all or part of 2002-03

You will be able to tell if you have already received this Children's Tax Credit if you still have any payslips or a P60 for the year 2002-03 as your code will end in either 'H' or 'T'. If it doesn’t then you could well be entitled to claim.

However, if you are unsure as to whether you received this credit the HMRC will check for you for free and if appropriate will send you repayment for the full amount.

To do this you will need to download and complete an 11CTC form before 31st January 2009 and send it to your local tax office. This can be done by going onto the Revenue’s website which is www.hmrc.gov.uk and entering 11CTC in the search box. This will bring up a page of results where you will need to click on the first on the list. The next page will give you the opportunity to download the form which is relatively easy to complete. Remember to put your name, address and National Insurance number in the large blank space at the top of the form and tick the box 2002/03 (not 2001/02) and send the completed form to your local tax office.

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