Who are Tax Help for Older People?

Tax Help for Older People is a free service provided by qualified tax advisers, who offer friendly, jargon

free and confidential advice in personal tax.

We provide advice in the area of personal taxation to people approaching 60 or over with a modest

income. (Net income of £20,000 or less.)

Those caring for an eligible older person may also request our help on their behalf, with their consent.

We operate a national Telephone Helpline, staffed by advisers fully trained in the field of older people’s tax matters; advice is independent and confidential.

We also have a network of over 500 volunteer advisers covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, providing tax help by appointment locally, often at Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau or other community organisations. For those who are disabled or mobility impaired, we can arrange home visits. All our volunteer advisers are tax professionals who give their time for free.

We provide tax awareness talks to community and pensioner groups, and specialist training to other voluntary sector advice and information agencies.

Tax Help for Older People can assist with:

coding notices;

checking tax allowances are correct;

completing tax returns;

Blind Person’s Allowance;

checking tax arrears demands and,

where they exist, help to schedule repayments at manageable rates;

identification of HMRC and employers’ errors;

Some case studies……….

Tax Help for Older People will: Ensure that our clients pay the correct amount of tax. Our success here can be seen in the amount of tax

refunded or remitted by HMRC, or conversely the underpayments identified for clients to make good.

In 2012/13, known refunds and remissions received by clients totalled £1.595M.

If clients are found to have underpaid their tax then we help to negotiate affordable repayment terms.

(We say ‘known’ because in the case of refunds, we do not get to learn of the final figure from a significant proportion of clients we help.)

“I am so grateful for your help. Your email obviously worked. Phone call from HMRC stating I no longer owe £150”.

It’s not just about the money…………………

Bald statistics however are never sufficient to convey the impact that we as an organisation can have on the lives of those who seek our help. Because most people understand that tax is something they have to pay, but do not understand how it is calculated, for some, receiving a reconciliation statement or demand through the post can be the source of extreme anxiety. Or this is how just a few of our clients put it to us in their feedback.

“What was for me a very anxious time was made much easier by the professional way in which you dealt with me problems for me”

“This amazing society has restored my peace of mind”

“We could never have done it without your help”“I would have been lost if I had not been referred to you”

” “I feel as though a large black cloud has been lifted from my shoulders

How do I get in touch?

Contacting Tax Help for Older People:

Telephone Helpline: 0845 601 3321 or 01308 488066 (Mon-Fri 9-5)

Send us an email:taxvol@taxvol.org.uk

Visit our website: www.taxvol.org.uk

Write to us: Tax Help for Older People

Pineapple Business Park

Salway Ash, BridportDorset DT6 5DB