Anything Else To Stop Debt Collector?

[NikJak]

In Nov 14 I owed HMRC just over £300 for Nat Ins Contributions from a few years ago. I didn't have the lump sum so after waiting on HMRC helpline for nearly 2 hours I wrote to them, using Sign on Delivery, saying I'd paid £60 that day and would pay another £50 each month which I did subsequently in Dec. In early Jan I received a letter from Rossendales Debt Collectors demanding the outstanding £250 (by then I had already actually paid the next of my £50 installments so the balance was £200). I tried ringing both Rossendales and HMRC but gave up after queuing for over an hour on each - I can't afford the phone bills! So I emailed Rossendales, using the email address given on the letter, copying them with my letter to HMRC. By this time HMRC had neither replied to me OR rejected my payments so far of £110. I made another payment this week so the balance is now down to £150. Today I received another letter from Rossendales saying they were disappointed I had not replied - pay up the full amount or else blah blah blah.
So.... what I need to know is, am I doing enough? I have written to HMRC offering a payment plan and have carried it out exactly as I said I would. If Rossendales take me to court without responding to any of my emails (I will also send a letter today) can I get landed with extra charges? I always though that if you made an offer of payment and kept to it AND the recipient accepted the money then a court would deem you doing your best to pay - or is that an old wives tale? I'm a bit new at all this!

[Zacs-Master]

Have you exhausted all the methods of contacting them?
http://www.rossendales.com/rossendales/index.php/making-an-enquiry

[chrissa1]

No, NikJak.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Question707275.html

This was my way of dealing with a similar problem, 6 years ago. If you have copies of all your correspondence and and statements proving that your payments to HMRC were made, I would let Rossendales do their worst and take you to court.

It is not as difficult or scary as some people think. It won't cost you anything, except you time, and the judge, in my opinion, would see what you had done and will probably rule that your payments can continue.

These debt collectors are only interested in getting the full whack out of you.

Let them do their worst and good luck.

[chrissa1]

That should have read, "Hi, NikJak."

[ummmm]

How have you been making the payments?

[NikJak]

I've made the payments via BACS/Faster Payment, all recorded.

[buildersmate]

HMRC doesn't use debt collectors lightly.
Not judging, but I wonder if there was a long history of them chasing you prior, to last November.
Yes, you seem to be doing the right things, but the straw may have already broken the camel's back.

[themas]

bm - what you say used to be the case, but I'm afraid it no longer is! HMRC are using debt collectors increasingly often - & not always using common sense in doing so. I know of a case very similar to NikJak's but in some ways even worse. The monthly payments were agreed by HMRC debt collection and being made by direct debit without fail. They still sent it to a debt collector who does not answer the phone or reply to letters.

[factor-fiction]

Maybe HMRC had already given up on this and handed it over to debt collectors. If they have not accepted your offer then that is their right. But have they cashed your cheques?

[ummmm]

Nik said shes paid by BACS.

[factor-fiction]

Thanks ummmm.
If HMRC have been accepting the money then I think it's not unreasonable to assume that they have accepted your offer and you should not pay Rossendales. Send them a letter stating this and send a copy to HMRC.
I am puzzled as to why you can't get a reply from HMRC- I have never had a problem. They even accept emails now and there are times of the day where calls are answered much more quickly

[ummmm]

It might be an idea to make an appointment at your local tax office...

[Peter Pedant]

remember the HMRC don't HAVE to accept a payment scheme
[ even if you gladly offer it]

in other words they can if they wish take the view that the outstanding amount is payable on demand

arrange a meeting

[factor-fiction]

I agree, PP, but if they have accepted the money and not repaid it they must be under a n obligation to reduce the amount the debt collectors are trying to recoup.
But maybe there is more to this case- maybe more money is now owed fro more recent years too so HMRC are accepting the moneys against that newer debt