HMRC to accept credit cards
In a recent posting on sister blog SME Plus, it was highlighted that effective from 9 December 2008 taxpayers can settle their self-assessment tax bills by credit card (for an extra fee of 1.25%).
That will do nicely
Included in the Finance Act 2008 was a provision to enable HM Revenue & Customs to charge a fee for certain methods of payment of tax liabilities. This has enabled a Statutory Instrument be issued which introduces a charge of 0.91% for tax payments made by credit card. The regulation comes into force on 13 August and only relates to credit card payments made by telephone. This may be extended to other methods of payment in due course.
Beware of e-mails bearing tax refunds
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have warned of a number e-mail scams inviting people to provide credit card details in order that a tax refund can be sent to them. The latest example includes an official looking form requesting full details of a credit card with the instruction that it must be returned within 2 days or the tax refund will be declined!
It even covers the situation where you do not have a credit card by inviting you to provide details of a nominee.
As HMRC say on their website:
HMRC would not inform customers of a tax rebate via email, or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate of tax.
Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information.Email addresses used to distribute the tax rebate emails include:
service@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
claims@hmrc.direct.gov.uk
notice@hmrc.gov.uk
hmrc@hmrc.gov.uk
admin@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
info@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
no-reply@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does not send out emails using these email addresses.
