Worrying tax bill? TOP gives free professional advice to older people on low incomes

Yesterday it was announced that around one million people are to face unpaid tax bills of at least £600. Of this one million people, more than 150,000 pensioners will receive this shocking news. 

This is the second year a new computer system has identified discrepancies with tax and national insurance and these unwelcome letters from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will start landing on doormats from this weekend.

Very fortuitously this week I met someone who could help. Judith Richards is the South Central Regional Co-ordinator of TOP, an independent free tax advice service for older people on low incomes (less than £17,000 per year) who cannot afford to pay for professional advice.  

The service is provided by volunteer tax professionals who really know their way around the tax system and can help with any income tax matter including replying to a letter from HMRC. You may simply wish to have a tax health check for peace of mind and to know that everything is in order.

So how do you get help?

Very simply. Just telephone the TOP lo-call helpline on 0845 601 3321 or 01308 488066. If the office is not manned, leave your name and telephone number on the voicemail and TOP will call you back.

All interviews with an adviser are by appointment and in private. You may also seek telephone advice if your query is a simple one. Home visits will be arranged in cases of disability.

If you have any queries, contact TOP on the helpline or write to them.

TaxHelp for Older People
Pineapple Business Park
Salway Ash
Bridport
Dorset DT6 5DB

E-mail  taxvol@taxvol.org.uk

For more information, visit http://www.taxvol.org.uk/index.htm

(And if you do contact TOP, please mention The Future Perfect Company so Judith knows I kept my promise to spread the word!)