calling UK tax folks

Finally getting off my butt and trying to call the tax people in the morning. Is there anything in particular I should be asking for? I should not owe any UK tax for 2015. Incoming money was my US Govt pension(not taxed in UK, but of course was taxed in the US), around $7k in gains on Vanguard selling which keeps me waaaaaay under the UK tax trigger. I shouldn't have to worry about the UK tax for another 3-4 years if I start taking my social security and drawing money out of my TSP account. I can't remember where the TSP Govt savings will be taxed.....certainly the US will want their cut first as you draw it out.

I also just took a quick look....and failed. Anybody have the 2015 Dollar/Pound exchange rate for the year handy?

Make sure you call them first thing when they open so you get through more easily, so 8am.

Here are your exchange rates.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exchange-rates-for-customs-and-vat-yearly

Thanks. I remember reading something in the past about calling when they open at 8am. So the exchange rate for 2015 was $1.598.

I am assuming that they will need to send me something for self assessment.

Thanks. I remember reading something in the past about calling when they open at 8am. So the exchange rate for 2015 was $1.598.

I am assuming that they will need to send me something for self assessment.

I always use the ave. for year to 31st March whatever that is because it ties in most closely with the tax year.

If you are filing online you have to register first and they send you a password thing in the mail.
If you are filing on paper, they will send the forms but this late in the day you may as well just download them to save time.

Deadlines.

https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/deadlines

I was under the impression I would not be able to file online.

I was under the impression I would not be able to file online.

Well, I file on paper so I have no practical experience of filing on line.

A couple of things spring to mind as to why you may have thought that. 

They have been playing around with an extra layer of security for the online accounts. My husband, the USC has one but we can no longer get into it because he can't get through the new security. His circumstances are pretty unique I think, so others probably can manage.

If you need to file the residence, remittance etc. pages, you have to pay for 3rd party software.

Was there another reason?

Was there another reason?

I thought I had read something where on here if you weren't a UK citizen the online site required you to mail it in.

and........I also don't have a National Insurance number.

Way to find out is to try to register online and see if it works for you, ie can you get through the new security measures.  Even if you don't file online, it is useful to be registered because you can see if they have received your paper form, what your balances are etc.

Before my husband got his NI number, HMRC allocated a temporary one and they'll give you a UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) too.

Is your preference to file on paper or online?

I don't care which way I file. But.....if I need to file through the mail I need to get things going. I wasn't too sure what they might need from me. I was kind of assuming that either way they might want me to prove my income (pension+mutual fund sales) and a statement claiming Treaty benefits (no tax on Govt pension).

I don't care which way I file. But.....if I need to file through the mail I need to get things going. I wasn't too sure what they might need from me. I was kind of assuming that either way they might want me to prove my income (pension+mutual fund sales) and a statement claiming Treaty benefits (no tax on Govt pension).

I don't know enough about the actual tax stuff to tell if you will need to file or not (It's taken me lots of letters and numerous calls to HMRC to figure out my own situation and that of my husband) but that's what you need to ask them.

Make sure you are passed through to one of the specialists, some of the ones who answer the phones will have a bash at helping you but they are not highly trained. (Mention your foreign income and a treaty or two and you'll scare them in to passing you over!) The specialists I have found to be very helpful.

The best thing to do really is get the answers to your questions in writing but you are talking about a 2-3 month wait for a reply to a letter!

I thought I had read something where on here if you weren't a UK citizen the online site required you to mail it in.

and........I also don't have a National Insurance number.

You can file on-line if you aren't a citizen - I've certainly done it prior to becoming a citizen. Not having a NI number may be an issue though.

I too have had some problems since the 'extra security' layer came in. I've tried to sort that, but up to now, no joy. But given that I filed on-line as soon as possible for the 2015-2016 tax year, and paid my tax, it's not an issue....yet.....

Fairly painless so far. Called right at 8am. Had to battle for the first 5 minutes with a computer lady voice from Hell that wouldn't shut up....and gave no choices/options for what I wanted.....so eventually just picked something that might give me a human. When I finally gave an answer the computer voice from Hell deemed ok, a person answered after just 2 rings......I was impressed. The lady I dealt with was very pleasant and eventually tried to patch me through to someone more knowledgable.....but no answer. They have arranged for someone to call me back in the evening by next Wed.

The lady I talked to seemed to think I didn't need to do anything for this last year.....but while I don't have any normal earned income....the $7K or so I gained from mutual funds sales I thought would need to be declared. She didn't know though and said that right away.

Overall......a lot (as in HUGE) better than I expected the experience to be.

Thanks for the update F4mandolin! I'm glad it went well.

I know what you mean about the automated lady voice, she makes me want to jump out of a window...

When I expressed this sentiment to one of the actual people at HMRC, I was informed that if you just remain silent on the line for the whole time, the automated system will put you through eventually.

I have tried this and can report that it works! Not necessarily a lot quicker than if you give all the "right" answers but reliable and less frustrating, especially  if you don't know what those right answers are!

At one point I did just wait......the voice just went back over the choices again. Maybe if I had waited a good long while it would have gone to a human. The computer really really really wanted you to use the online service and spent a couple of minutes endlessly talking about how wonderful it is before I even got to the point of being able to choose anything. Once I got the "real" lady......very helpful. So helpful I was looking for a way on the site to send in a compliment. Looks like I would have to use the Complaint section to do that.

At one point I did just wait......the voice just went back over the choices again. Maybe if I had waited a good long while it would have gone to a human.

Yes, you just have to remain silent for long enough! She'll ask her questions then try again and eventually she will tell you she's going to transfer you! Not quick exactly but it works.