HMRC contract loan charge letter - no details of scheme?

[goldfish]

I haven't contracted for many years but recently received a letter from HMRC dated 10 July regarding contractor loans "I am writing to you as I believe you've used a tax avoidance scheme..." There no details in the letter of the scheme, dates, or anything else specific to my tax history. Is this usual? Have any others received similar letters recently? I am looking through my own records but would prefer to know exactly what HMRC are basing the letter on, rather than guess - is the best action to write to them for more details or is email better? Thanks for any help, and apologies if this has been covered elsewhere on the forum already.

[webberg]

I haven't contracted for many years but recently received a letter from HMRC dated 10 July regarding contractor loans "I am writing to you as I believe you've used a tax avoidance scheme..." There no details in the letter of the scheme, dates, or anything else specific to my tax history. Is this usual? Have any others received similar letters recently? I am looking through my own records but would prefer to know exactly what HMRC are basing the letter on, rather than guess - is the best action to write to them for more details or is email better? Thanks for any help, and apologies if this has been covered elsewhere on the forum already.

Surely you know if you've been in a scheme?

You would have signed documents and had money paid to you via an umbrella/agency etc.

The letter is part of an "awareness" campaign and is non specific but clearly you are considered by HMRC to have used a scheme. If you think you have not, then write and tell them.

[GreenMirror]

In the letter, what do HMRC want you to do?

Lets say that HMRC say they are talking about one tax year - but you were in schemes for two. Are you going to just settle or pay loan charge for one year? Do that and you will be in SERIOUS trouble.

Decide if you want to settle or pay loan charge. Don't miss anything. Usually better to use one of the advisers recommended here - phil@dws or WTT - they will stop HMRC nasty surprises later.

HMRC can do what they want to us - we have to be very careful what we do. Play silly buggers and it will end badly.

EDIT : webberg gives very good advice and I believe can introduce you to WTT.....

[goldfish]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've been a permanent employee or self-employed (directly invoicing) for many years, and prior to that used a limited company, with the exception of a few months in 2005 and a further few in 2007. Until the letter arrived last week, I had no knowledge of changes in contractor taxation - I have a lot of catching up to do, hence posting on this forum in an effort to understand how best to respond. I do not have any intention to play "silly buggers" or to avoid providing an appropriate response to HRMC (so perhaps we can cease those lines of comment). I've emailed WTT via the contact form on their website. I couldn't find a user with name phil@dws - could you post or PM me details?

[GreenMirror]

https://forums.contractoruk.com/memb...l-dswtres.html . Or email phil @ dswtres.com

Remember that this is a public forum so the advice is not just for you. Your original post so not full of much detail but you said you "would prefer to know exactly what HMRC are basing the letter on".

Another ungrateful poster, does not like the advice, then whines. I bet this has never happened to NLUK.....