Reply to: Paying APN in instalments - penalties?

[webberg]

You seem to know a bit about TTP - any links or pointers on where I can get info about this? I can't see anything definitive on HMRCs website or in any threads here. Exactly what do you have to do to get TTP , will it only be granted after you've sold all your assets? Must I be homeless or mortgaged to the hilt before they'll consider?
And whilst I'm asking, looking on the bright side, when the court case is won and HMRC have to pay us back the APN, do they refund the interest we've had to pay on loans/mortgages taken out to fund payments made to them? Or are we in a lose-lose situation here, as I suspect?

You are not expected to be homeless, penniless or destitute for TTP.

It's meant to be a position that may hurt for a while but not drive you to the brink of desperation.

Yes, we do some TTP stuff.

On my pro bono slate I have perhaps 3 slots left - first come, first served.

[Tweedle]

Not tried it personally but willing to try.

You seem to know a bit about TTP - any links or pointers on where I can get info about this? I can't see anything definitive on HMRCs website or in any threads here. Exactly what do you have to do to get TTP , will it only be granted after you've sold all your assets? Must I be homeless or mortgaged to the hilt before they'll consider?
And whilst I'm asking, looking on the bright side, when the court case is won and HMRC have to pay us back the APN, do they refund the interest we've had to pay on loans/mortgages taken out to fund payments made to them? Or are we in a lose-lose situation here, as I suspect?

[StrengthInNumbers]

May be not then if it is her money.

[ads1980]

Since when in Mrs name? As far I know knowingly try to move assets into a relatives name to save from debtors can lead to criminal offence. Be very careful on this path - it is not as easy and rosy as it might look initially.

Non of it has been moved in to her name. It has always been the case that it was in her name from day dot so never transferred. So I'm just wondering if they can touch any of it?

[StrengthInNumbers]

How would you stand in this situation....

No assets at all. The house and mortgage are in the Mrs' name. Cars are in the Mrs' name and all bills. What could HMRC do in this case?

Since when in Mrs name? As far I know knowingly try to move assets into a relatives name to save from debtors can lead to criminal offence. Be very careful on this path - it is not as easy and rosy as it might look initially.

[webberg]

I didn't think it through. However you did answer it. It is very likely the apn would be issued to an individual (rather than Ltd co).

Therefore it would need to be paid with post tax money. From this respect could you argue for a payment plan on the basis you draw minimum salary/dividend from Ltd Co?

Has anyone successfully arranged such a plan while still operating a Ltd co?

Not tried it personally but willing to try.

[dmuk]

I'm not sure I understand the question but I've answered the question...

I didn't think it through. However you did answer it. It is very likely the apn would be issued to an individual (rather than Ltd co).

Therefore it would need to be paid with post tax money. From this respect could you argue for a payment plan on the basis you draw minimum salary/dividend from Ltd Co?

Has anyone successfully arranged such a plan while still operating a Ltd co?

[ads1980]

If HMRC are prepared to take other creditors into account in this instance. As I've mentioned in a previous thread, last time I had dealings with a TTP HMRC didn't care about my credit card bills, they only took living costs into account so I had to go on a DMP. But I actually owed them the money that time. This time it's different (yes I understand that an APN is legally enforceable blah blah). We'll see what they say.

How would you stand in this situation....

No assets at all. The house and mortgage are in the Mrs' name. Cars are in the Mrs' name and all bills. What could HMRC do in this case?

[squirrel]

It will also be interesting to see

Time to pay arrangements take into account all known liabilities etc. So if you have an arrangement running you argue that the second must be generous as to default the first would cause financial damage disproportionate to the charge.

You'd hope HMRC would realise this, but don't hold your breath.

If HMRC are prepared to take other creditors into account in this instance. As I've mentioned in a previous thread, last time I had dealings with a TTP HMRC didn't care about my credit card bills, they only took living costs into account so I had to go on a DMP. But I actually owed them the money that time. This time it's different (yes I understand that an APN is legally enforceable blah blah). We'll see what they say.

[webberg]

Duh - I meant £10k of course!
I take it from what you are saying that the best course of action here is to arrange TTP, over a long period if necessary, making sure that the payments are within one's personal budget so as not to default.
By definition, if one has arranged TTP for one APN, then the next TTP arrangement for APN (2) will need to be arranged on the same basis, taking into consideration APN(1) and one's ability to pay for both?

Time to pay arrangements take into account all known liabilities etc. So if you have an arrangement running you argue that the second must be generous as to default the first would cause financial damage disproportionate to the charge.

You'd hope HMRC would realise this, but don't hold your breath.

[flamel]

The pedant in me says 25% of £40k is £10k.

You have no ability to "group" APN's nor force their issue. That is entirely within the gift of HMRC. I don't for a moment believe that HMRC has thought through the likely impact of issuing APN's in series in order to cause problems. Firstly, they have no particular policy in such matters and secondly they do not view this as a personal vendetta. It may feel like that - it's not.

Deal with this situation by taking the emotion out of it - make rational decisions, not knee jerk reactive ones.

If you have a plan for an APN and get another, then the plan for APN #2 will take that into account.

Your case B has been discussed on other threads. The unfortunate truth is that if you have no assets or savings that HMRC can persuade a Court to seize, then you will have some form of sequestration applied to future income (salary/profits/pension).

In a worst case, you might be paying HMRC an extra £10 a month for ever.

Duh - I meant £10k of course!
I take it from what you are saying that the best course of action here is to arrange TTP, over a long period if necessary, making sure that the payments are within one's personal budget so as not to default.
By definition, if one has arranged TTP for one APN, then the next TTP arrangement for APN (2) will need to be arranged on the same basis, taking into consideration APN(1) and one's ability to pay for both?

[webberg]

This may be a silly question - but do you pay the APN with pre or post company; or personal money?

If you need to pay the APN with pre-tax company money - how is this treated? Would you be liable for tax?

Is any portion of the APN deductible? I am assuming no.

I'm not sure I understand the question but I've answered the question I assume is meant.

Certainly paying a tax bill is not deductible.

If the APN is issued to a company then it's their liability. If you pay from your funds, you have lent the company money.

If the APN is issued to you, it's your liability. If the company pays it on your behalf you have either borrowed from the company which leads to a BIK charge and a need to repay it, or the company has given you remuneration which needs to be taxed.

There is no deduction available at company or personal level.

[dmuk]

This may be a silly question - but do you pay the APN with pre or post company; or personal money?

If you need to pay the APN with pre-tax company money - how is this treated? Would you be liable for tax?

Is any portion of the APN deductible? I am assuming no.

[webberg]

Hypothetical numbers here:
First situation
I get an APN for £40k
I agree to pay 25% upfront (£4k) and agree time to pay over, say 2 years
I then get another APN for another year but can't afford to pay that in addition to the first APN.
Is it better to group the APNs and declare inability to pay?
What if HMRC take their time on issuing all APNs to an individual? I'm assuming that in their warped thinking if they issue them slowly one year at a time, then they think people will have more chance of paying them (or something like that) compared to issuing all at once.
Therefore is it possible to get HMRC to issue all APNs for all contested years in a reasonable timeframe for individuals to consider their total position?

Second Case
I sell everything and borrow some money to pay all APNs.
The case is lost and the HMRC want penalties, interest, IHT and any other tax they feel like applying in which case there is now an inability to pay and nothing left to sell.

This would have the effect of a second wipe-out for the same (or related) debt.

The pedant in me says 25% of £40k is £10k.

You have no ability to "group" APN's nor force their issue. That is entirely within the gift of HMRC. I don't for a moment believe that HMRC has thought through the likely impact of issuing APN's in series in order to cause problems. Firstly, they have no particular policy in such matters and secondly they do not view this as a personal vendetta. It may feel like that - it's not.

Deal with this situation by taking the emotion out of it - make rational decisions, not knee jerk reactive ones.

If you have a plan for an APN and get another, then the plan for APN #2 will take that into account.

Your case B has been discussed on other threads. The unfortunate truth is that if you have no assets or savings that HMRC can persuade a Court to seize, then you will have some form of sequestration applied to future income (salary/profits/pension).

In a worst case, you might be paying HMRC an extra £10 a month for ever.

[flamel]

Depends on circumstances.

I've seen a few over 12 months (£80k APN, £20k upfront and £5k a month) and some over 15/18 months on pretty much the same pattern.

HMRC will not commit a policy in writing on that.

I think the above pattern is seen as a start point perhaps.

Don't fret the numbers above, look at the profile.

Do percentages if you like - 25% up front, 8% an instalment.

The KEY is not agreeing something that you can't subsequently manage as breaking the agreement brings consequences.

Hypothetical numbers here:
First situation
I get an APN for £40k
I agree to pay 25% upfront (£4k) and agree time to pay over, say 2 years
I then get another APN for another year but can't afford to pay that in addition to the first APN.
Is it better to group the APNs and declare inability to pay?
What if HMRC take their time on issuing all APNs to an individual? I'm assuming that in their warped thinking if they issue them slowly one year at a time, then they think people will have more chance of paying them (or something like that) compared to issuing all at once.
Therefore is it possible to get HMRC to issue all APNs for all contested years in a reasonable timeframe for individuals to consider their total position?

Second Case
I sell everything and borrow some money to pay all APNs.
The case is lost and the HMRC want penalties, interest, IHT and any other tax they feel like applying in which case there is now an inability to pay and nothing left to sell.

This would have the effect of a second wipe-out for the same (or related) debt.