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Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2024 9:22 pm
by Superzing
Hello - I am due to apply for my Naturalization and have a query please. I didn’t do my Tax self assessment twice a couple of years back and was notified by HMRC. I paid the penalty and also completed the self assessment immediately and paid any backlog amount as well immediately.
I have been employed full time and hence never had to do self assessment, so the above caught me by surprise. I spoke to HMRC and they said it was due to me changing my job mid financial year and my new company not updating my tax code correctly.
I have 2 questions please,
1) will this negatively affect my Naturalization?
2) Do I need to declare this in my Naturalization application? If yes, how and where should I declare please?
Thank you
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2024 10:05 pm
by contorted_svy
Under Good character, declare you had a Fixed Penalty Notice. In the box that will appear there, declare that you will provide further details in the cover letter and explain the facts as you did here. If this is the only ever issue you had with the law. it won't affect your naturalisation.
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:11 pm
by MuchAdoAboutNothing
I posted about something similar happening to me a while ago. Though I never had a penalty. It was a bit over 1k I had to pay back to HMRC.
Similarly to you, I've been always employed full-time, and briefly took a freelance contract when I was in between moving house (things were hectic, so I genuinely didn't realise what had happened at the time)
I didn't declare that in my cover letter, though I never did get a penalty notice (to my best recollection anyway).
I panicked as I wasn't sure what to do, but in the end I submitted everything, and did not mention this in my cover letter (I really hope this doesn't ruin my application...)
Now, again, I feel a bit paranoid, but hopefully all be OK. I hope it works for you too!
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:22 pm
by contorted_svy
MuchAdoAboutNothing wrote: ↑Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:11 pm
I posted about something similar happening to me a while ago. Though I never had a penalty. It was a bit over 1k I had to pay back to HMRC.
Similarly to you, I've been always employed full-time, and briefly took a freelance contract when I was in between moving house (things were hectic, so I genuinely didn't realise what had happened at the time)
I didn't declare that in my cover letter, though I never did get a penalty notice (to my best recollection anyway).
I panicked as I wasn't sure what to do, but in the end I submitted everything, and did not mention this in my cover letter (I really hope this doesn't ruin my application...)
Now, again, I feel a bit paranoid, but hopefully all be OK. I hope it works for you too!
I would suggest you try to recollect at your best if you received a FPN - if so better to disclose it to UKVI as if you don't it may be seen as hiding information. The HMRC helpline can look into your file and confirm this with you.
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:24 pm
by MuchAdoAboutNothing
I have been trying to reach them all day today but have been in the office, so no luck as of yet.
I have already submitted my application/biometrics, etc. so unsure if there is any way I can disclose this information.
Hoping to get through today or tomorrow.
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:44 pm
by contorted_svy
You can send an email to UKVI.
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 5:57 pm
by MuchAdoAboutNothing
Thank you for the advice, but before contacting UKVI, I want to double check with HMRC themselves first if there was ever a case of a fine being issued.
Secondly, what is the best email I can reach UKVI on?
I don't want to risk emailing them in case it was never a big issue and was just a case of me paying back that amount of money.
Thanks so much, massively appreciate this.
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 6:11 pm
by contorted_svy
Re: Tax - Naturalization
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 6:28 pm
by MuchAdoAboutNothing
Thanks svy,
I eventually managed to reach HMRC (wasn't sure if it was the correct branch as they picked up after 6PM, and they close at 6PM), but the lady on the phone was super understanding and guaranteed she couldn't see any fines or penalty notices issued, ever, on my name, so I guess that's all in the clear.
Let's hope that's the case and I will get a positive outcome!
Thank you so much, once again, for your help.
EDIT: it looks like I there was tax underpayment, according to the information she gave me and she said she could see I paid it back in Dec 2021, and that everyone's happy and it never resulted in any fines, etc.