HMRC sending letters to 1.4 million Brits who need to pay up
The letters provide a detailed assessment of unpaid tax on income above the annual personal allowance and guidance on how customers can pay tax owed.
Download the HMRC app to manage your money easily.
When you're on it, you're on it.
Download today. 👇https://t.co/8NJGh489Xv pic.twitter.com/BBxflDIqNx
A Simple Assessment can be issued for a number of reasons, including where:
If customers receive a letter either through the post or online in their Personal Tax Account, they can go to GOV.UK to find out more, check the assessment against their own records and pay any tax owed.
The payment deadline is 31 January 2026, unless an alternative date is stated in the letter.
Simple Assessment payments can be made in full, or in instalments before the deadline.
Payments can be made using the free and secure HMRC app, online via GOV.UK, by bank transfer or cheque. A full list of payment methods can be found on GOV.UK.
HMRC has produced a detailed guide to help pensioners understand their Simple Assessment.
Simple Assessment letters are automatically generated and sent to customers when HMRC receives information from employers, Department for Work and Pensions, customers themselves and from banks, building societies and financial institutions that shows tax is due.
Recommended reading:
Anyone who believes an error has been made in the assessment should get in touch with HMRC within 60 days to query it. More information on how to contact HMRC is available on GOV.UK.
If HMRC agrees an assessment was incorrect, customers will be sent an updated letter with details of how to pay by the deadline.
If HMRC believes the assessment was correct, customers can go to GOV.UK to appeal within 30 days of the date of the decision letter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Compensation for faulty smart meters and install delays
The energy watchdog has unveiled proposals to bring in rules that will see consumers eligible for £40 compensation if they have to wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation, as well as faulty meters and those not operating in smart mode which are not fixed within 90 days. It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, which has seen the regulator help enforce the repair or replacement of more than 600,000 faulty meters since July last year. founder Martin Lewis welcomed the proposals as he said 'likely one in five' smart meters are faulty. It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called dumb mode, where they have poor connectivity or stop automatically transmitting readings. Ofgem said that by extending rules to cover poor connectivity, it will mean more consumers can get compensation. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change.' She added: 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.' The plans mean that suppliers will need to improve smart meter standards or pay out from early 2026, according to Ofgem. Mr Lewis said: 'Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, don't work as they should – a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout. 'With so many dissatisfied customers, word-of-mouth is bad, so people tell their friends and neighbours not to get one. 'We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken – not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working.' Under the new rules, micro-businesses will also be able to get compensation for smart meter issues. Recommended Reading: HMRC is offering families a £7500 boost next month - applications open now HMRC offering up to £4,000 free to households with children born in certain years Best student freebies, from railcards to Apple TV, Deliveroo vouchers and cash Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: 'Consumers are at the heart of our mission to deliver an energy retail market that works for everyone, as we accelerate towards a clean, homegrown power system to protect households against global fossil fuel price spikes. 'That's why the Government is taking action, alongside Ofgem, to ensure families are better protected when they get a smart meter installed.' U-switch said its research found that one in five households with a faulty smart meter had been waiting more than two years to have their device fixed.
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Compensation for faulty smart meters and install delays
The energy watchdog has unveiled proposals to bring in rules that will see consumers eligible for £40 compensation if they have to wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation, as well as faulty meters and those not operating in smart mode which are not fixed within 90 days. It comes as part of a crackdown on broken smart meters, which has seen the regulator help enforce the repair or replacement of more than 600,000 faulty meters since July last year. founder Martin Lewis welcomed the proposals as he said 'likely one in five' smart meters are faulty. It is thought that millions of smart meters have been left in so-called dumb mode, where they have poor connectivity or stop automatically transmitting readings. Ofgem said that by extending rules to cover poor connectivity, it will mean more consumers can get compensation. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change.' She added: 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.' The plans mean that suppliers will need to improve smart meter standards or pay out from early 2026, according to Ofgem. Mr Lewis said: 'Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, don't work as they should – a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout. 'With so many dissatisfied customers, word-of-mouth is bad, so people tell their friends and neighbours not to get one. 'We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken – not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working.' Under the new rules, micro-businesses will also be able to get compensation for smart meter issues. Recommended Reading: HMRC is offering families a £7500 boost next month - applications open now HMRC offering up to £4,000 free to households with children born in certain years Best student freebies, from railcards to Apple TV, Deliveroo vouchers and cash Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: 'Consumers are at the heart of our mission to deliver an energy retail market that works for everyone, as we accelerate towards a clean, homegrown power system to protect households against global fossil fuel price spikes. 'That's why the Government is taking action, alongside Ofgem, to ensure families are better protected when they get a smart meter installed.' U-switch said its research found that one in five households with a faulty smart meter had been waiting more than two years to have their device fixed.
Western Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
HMRC offering up to £4,000 free to households with children
Tax-Free Childcare means working families can save up to £2,000 annually for each child up to the age of 11, and £4,000 for a disabled child up to the age of 16, when they're paying for their childcare. There are now 75,000 childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare as payment including nurseries, registered childminders, holiday activity clubs and, for when school starts back in September, before and after school clubs. Are you missing out on childcare savings? 👋 Sign up for Tax-Free Childcare scheme and save up to £2,000 a year per child on approved childcare costs, including wraparound childcare. 💸 Find out more. 👇 — HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) August 3, 2025 Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, says: 'Whether your child is interested in football, climbing, crafting or dance, there's a huge variety of childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare. Children can learn something new and have fun with their friends while their parents save on their childcare bills. Visit to sign up today.' Families yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare can do it now to pay for their summer activities or start paying into it ready for breakfast and after-school clubs when the new term starts. Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it's needed. Any unused payments can be withdrawn at any time. For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it up by £2, which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards their childcare costs. Who is eligible to apply for HMRC Tax-Free Childcare? Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they: Have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday The parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average Each earn no more than £100,000 per annum Do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers Visit to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare. Recommended reading Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. Account holders must confirm their details are up to date every 3 months to continue receiving the government top-up. Childcare providers can also sign up for a childcare provider account via to receive payments from parents and carers via the scheme.
