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HMRC apologises over £1bn tax bill blunder HMRC apologises over £1bn tax bill blunder
(about 14 hours later)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has apologised after sending a tax demand for almost £1bn to the owner of a cafe in Greater Manchester. HM Revenue and Customs has apologised after sending a tax demand for almost £1bn to the owner of a cafe in Greater Manchester.
Florence Coke, owner of Mama Flo's in Gorton, was sent a tax bill for £979,092,858 in March.Florence Coke, owner of Mama Flo's in Gorton, was sent a tax bill for £979,092,858 in March.
She said: "When I realised it was nearly £1bn I nearly fell over in the kitchen. I don't even make a wage."She said: "When I realised it was nearly £1bn I nearly fell over in the kitchen. I don't even make a wage."
HMRC said it had "put matters right". Ms Cooke said she had now received an amended bill of £17,000. HMRC said it had "put matters right". Ms Coke said she had now received an amended bill of £17,000.
'So stressed out' Ms Coke described the original demand for value added tax (VAT) issued by HMRC in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, as "threatening".
Ms Cooke described the original demand for Value Added Tax (VAT) issued by HMRC in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, as "threatening". It stated it could seize her assets and sell them at auction or arrange for a debt agency to collect payment.
It stated it could seize her assets and sell them at auction or arrange for a debt collector agency to collect payment.
She said: "I was so worried they would come and take all my stuff.She said: "I was so worried they would come and take all my stuff.
"I work 150 hours a week and I put everything I have into the cafe. I'm not even making a wage but I love it."I work 150 hours a week and I put everything I have into the cafe. I'm not even making a wage but I love it.
"I am naive because it is my first time running a business," said the 59-year-old who set the cafe up in 2010. 'So stressed out'
"I am naive because it is my first time running a business," said the 59-year-old, who set up the cafe in 2010.
"I called them and they denied they sent the tax bill but I told them I am not a mad woman.""I called them and they denied they sent the tax bill but I told them I am not a mad woman."
Ms Coke said it was made much worse because her mother died and she had to rush to Jamaica for the funeral. Ms Coke said it was made much worse because her mother died and she had to go to Jamaica for the funeral.
"I was so stressed out. I had two major problems and I was worrying about my cafe while I was away.""I was so stressed out. I had two major problems and I was worrying about my cafe while I was away."
When she returned from her mother's funeral she received a letter of apology which she said she had accepted and a bunch of flowers from the HMRC. When she returned from her mother's funeral she received a letter of apology, which she said she had accepted, and a bunch of flowers from the HMRC.
HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said: "We are very sorry to hear of the problems our customer has had.HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said: "We are very sorry to hear of the problems our customer has had.
"We can't comment on individual cases but have already contacted her to apologise and put matters right.""We can't comment on individual cases but have already contacted her to apologise and put matters right."