If you face challenges with mental health

HMRC’s duty to you

HMRC have stated that they will provide tailored support at the earliest opportunity to those who need extra help. Their support is in line with their responsibilities under the Equality Act to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.

HMRC monitors calls and correspondence to identify people who need extra help, including those with  mental health issues. HMRC advisers will transfer callers to specially trained advisers at the Extra Support Team. They will also refer individuals to voluntary organisations such as TaxAid.

What this means in practice

This does not mean that Debt Management (DM) will simply write off your tax. But if you can provide DM with evidence that you have a mental health problem, such as a letter from your GP or other health professional, then you may reasonably ask for some leeway in the way you are treated. For example:

• if you need a little time to obtain evidence of your mental illness, this should be given

• if DM has asked for any details of your financial situation, but because of your illness you find paperwork particularly stressful, you should be allowed extra time to get help to gather this information

• if you are unable to give any attention to your tax debts for a short period while you are in hospital or undergoing other treatment, DM should normally be prepared to suspend action for a short period

• if you can show that enforcement action being threatened by DM would be harmful to your health, and that the tax debt could be settled as quickly in another way, then DM should take due account of this

• if your mental illness is expected to continue in the long term, with little likelihood of improvement, and that it is highly unlikely that you will ever be able to pay the tax, then DM should consider “remitting” the tax. This means that no further action is taken unless your circumstances improve unexpectedly. Remission is only likely to be given if you have low income, no assets, live in rented accommodation and are unlikely to return to work

TIP:

Speaking to DM. It may feel difficult to speak to DM about your own mental health. You may prefer to ask a care worker, a friend or relative, or an advice agency such as TaxAid to speak to DM on your behalf. You will need to provide a letter or form of authority before they will release any information to a third party.