A Taxing Mistake: HMRC Mixes Up Identity, Costs Individual £450 a Month
In a shocking case, HM Revenue & Customs has mistakenly associated someone else's job details with an individual's national insurance (NI) number. The error has resulted in the individual being taxed as if they have two jobs, earning twice as much as they actually do, and facing a hefty fine.
The mix-up occurred during a tax code review last year after the person had changed jobs. HMRC's system mistakenly matched the individual's employment data to that of another woman who shared some of their personal details, including their NI number. This was only discovered when the individual was contacted by HMRC to address discrepancies in their tax payments.
The consequences were severe: £450 a month in extra taxes and National Insurance (NI) contributions. The individual had to wait 90 minutes to speak with an adviser before being informed of the mistake.
HMRC has since rectified the situation, disentangling the two individuals and promising to refund overpaid tax through the next payslip. Additionally, they will pay £75 in compensation.
However, the incident raises questions about data security and compliance. When asked if HMRC had declared a data breach to the Information Commissioner's Office, officials stated that it was not necessary, citing the limited sharing of personal details between the two individuals.
The incident highlights the need for greater vigilance when dealing with sensitive information, such as NI numbers and employment data. With billions of pounds in taxes being paid every year, mistakes like this can have a significant impact on individuals' finances.
In a shocking case, HM Revenue & Customs has mistakenly associated someone else's job details with an individual's national insurance (NI) number. The error has resulted in the individual being taxed as if they have two jobs, earning twice as much as they actually do, and facing a hefty fine.
The mix-up occurred during a tax code review last year after the person had changed jobs. HMRC's system mistakenly matched the individual's employment data to that of another woman who shared some of their personal details, including their NI number. This was only discovered when the individual was contacted by HMRC to address discrepancies in their tax payments.
The consequences were severe: £450 a month in extra taxes and National Insurance (NI) contributions. The individual had to wait 90 minutes to speak with an adviser before being informed of the mistake.
HMRC has since rectified the situation, disentangling the two individuals and promising to refund overpaid tax through the next payslip. Additionally, they will pay £75 in compensation.
However, the incident raises questions about data security and compliance. When asked if HMRC had declared a data breach to the Information Commissioner's Office, officials stated that it was not necessary, citing the limited sharing of personal details between the two individuals.
The incident highlights the need for greater vigilance when dealing with sensitive information, such as NI numbers and employment data. With billions of pounds in taxes being paid every year, mistakes like this can have a significant impact on individuals' finances.
that's so frustrating! I mean, £450 a month is crazy, imagine having to pay that much extra just because someones else's info got mixed up with yours... it's a total nightmare 
. And 90 minutes to get sorted out? That's like, what even is that? 
I feel bad for the person who went through all that stress and hassle.
It's just so annoying when these things happen and people get caught in the middle. Anyway, glad they're refunding the overpaid tax and paying compensation, but still, someone needs to learn from this mistake 
that's like paying for 2 jobs 
and i'm so sorry to hear the individual had to wait 90 mins just to get their problem sorted 
it's crazy how easily these mistakes can happen. data security should be a top priority, especially with sensitive info like NI numbers 
hopefully this incident will lead to some changes to prevent similar errors in the future 
Like how do they not check IDs or stuff before sending out tax forms? £450 a month is a huge mistake and I feel bad for that person who got screwed over 
Come on HMRC, get your act together! £450 a month is bloody ridiculous! I'd be losing sleep over that mistake, not to mention my entire bank account. And 90 minutes to sort it out? That's not exactly speed dial, mate. This highlights just how vulnerable our personal info is in this day and age. How can you mess up something as simple as a tax code review? 
It's time for some serious data security audits and better training for your staff!
I mean, they're supposed to be keeping track of our tax info, not getting it all mixed up like some sort of digital spaghetti mess! £450 a month is crazy, and 90 minutes on hold? That's just ridiculous. And no warning whatsoever before they start taking extra cash from you? Uncool, man.
anyway, i guess this is just one of those things that shows how important it is to have good data security measures in place 