HMRC have introduced various measures to defer tax payments during the crisis and fraudsters may take advantage of this. Please note the following to protect yourself from a potential scam:
- HMRC have confirmed that the 2nd 2019/20 income tax payment on account due on 31 July 2020 can be deferred if you wish. This is an automatic concession and HMRC will not contact about this. If you are able to make this payment, you should do so in the usual way. If you are contacted by anyone purporting to be from HMRC regarding the July tax payment, this will not be genuine.
- If you are contacted by text, email, telephone or letter requesting immediate payment of any outstanding tax due, please do not give any of your personal details in return. If you are unsure whether this is a genuine approach by HMRC, please contact us immediately.
- If you do have any outstanding tax liabilities which arose before 1 March, HMRC are prepared to discuss a “time to pay” to arrangement. Please contact us and we will be able to help you and we will put you in touch with the relevant department within HMRC. Any contact you receive claiming to be from HMRC will not be genuine; do not respond or give any details to anyone making an unsolicited approach by text, email, telephone or letter.