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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/may/16/hmrc-reveals-people-tax-refund
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| Up to 3.5 million people owed tax refund, says HMRC | Up to 3.5 million people owed tax refund, says HMRC |
| (4 months later) | |
| Up to 3.5 million people unwittingly paid too much tax in 2012-13 and are owed refunds averaging between £350 and £500, HM Revenue & Customs has revealed. | Up to 3.5 million people unwittingly paid too much tax in 2012-13 and are owed refunds averaging between £350 and £500, HM Revenue & Customs has revealed. |
| But there was bad news for 2 million others, who owe an average of between £400 and £500 after making underpayments through PAYE. | But there was bad news for 2 million others, who owe an average of between £400 and £500 after making underpayments through PAYE. |
| Every year, the taxman checks that the amount of tax and national insurance deducted by employers matches the information on its records. This so-called ""end of year reconciliation process" began this week and is expected to be completed by October. | Every year, the taxman checks that the amount of tax and national insurance deducted by employers matches the information on its records. This so-called ""end of year reconciliation process" began this week and is expected to be completed by October. |
| The Revenue argues that the vast majority of the 40 million who pay through PAYE are correctly taxed but, because people's circumstances change during the year – for example, they move jobs or enjoy an extra source of income, or there are changes to the employee benefits they receive – there will always be a minority who have paid too much or too little. | The Revenue argues that the vast majority of the 40 million who pay through PAYE are correctly taxed but, because people's circumstances change during the year – for example, they move jobs or enjoy an extra source of income, or there are changes to the employee benefits they receive – there will always be a minority who have paid too much or too little. |
| "Around 85% of pay as you earn taxpayers pay the right tax throughout the year ... This is the normal process that the PAYE system has used for 70 years," said an HMRC spokesman. | "Around 85% of pay as you earn taxpayers pay the right tax throughout the year ... This is the normal process that the PAYE system has used for 70 years," said an HMRC spokesman. |
| Nevertheless, up to 5.5 million people paying the wrong amount of tax will strike some people as a sizeable number, and in past years there have been headlines suggesting that vast numbers of people have been caught up in a gigantic "tax blunder". | Nevertheless, up to 5.5 million people paying the wrong amount of tax will strike some people as a sizeable number, and in past years there have been headlines suggesting that vast numbers of people have been caught up in a gigantic "tax blunder". |
| Those who have paid too much tax will receive a "payable order" (essentially a cheque); these should start arriving early next month. | Those who have paid too much tax will receive a "payable order" (essentially a cheque); these should start arriving early next month. |
| The vast majority of those who have underpaid tax will probably not get a bill – instead, their tax code will be changed and they will pay back what they owe via deductions from their salary during the 2014-15 tax year. They will receive a letter giving more information. | The vast majority of those who have underpaid tax will probably not get a bill – instead, their tax code will be changed and they will pay back what they owe via deductions from their salary during the 2014-15 tax year. They will receive a letter giving more information. |
| HMRC has said it is sympathetic to cases of genuine hardship, and those who cannot afford to pay should get in touch. These people may be able to pay what they owe over two or three years. | HMRC has said it is sympathetic to cases of genuine hardship, and those who cannot afford to pay should get in touch. These people may be able to pay what they owe over two or three years. |