Tax debt doesn’t just affect your bank balance. It can affect your physical and mental health.
For some people, it can trigger anxiety or depression. For others, it can make an existing mental or physical health condition worse.
If you’re being affected in this way, here are some steps that can help.
You don’t have to deal with this alone.
If you’re struggling to cope, someone else can help you manage the tax side of things.
You could ask:
- A friend or family member
- A colleague
- A support worker
- An adviser
All you need to do is tell HMRC you’re happy for that person to speak to them about your tax affairs. Once that’s agreed, they can deal with calls and letters on your behalf and ask for copies of correspondence.
If you’re exhausted, unwell or overwhelmed, sharing the load can make a real difference.
HMRC should take your health into account.
HMRC have a duty to support people who need extra help, including those with physical or mental health conditions.
They have responsibilities under the Equality Act to make sure no one is disadvantaged because of their health.
In practice, this can mean:
- Being referred to HMRC’s Extra Support Team.
- Allowing more time to respond to letters.
- Taking your circumstances into account before starting enforcement action.
- Signposting you to voluntary organisations, like us.
Tax debts aren’t automatically written off because of ill health. But adjustments should be made where your health makes it harder to manage your affairs.
What that might look like.
If you can provide evidence from a GP or other health professional, you can reasonably ask for flexibility.
For example:
- Extra time to gather financial information if paperwork worsens your condition.
- A pause in action if you’re in hospital or undergoing treatment.
- Sensitivity around enforcement if it would seriously harm your health and the debt could be dealt with another way.
In very serious, long-term situations, HMRC might stop pursuing the debt unless you circumstances improve unexpectedly. This is called ‘remission’. It’s rare and usually only considered where someone has very low income, no assets and little realistic chance of being able to pay.
Every case is different. But if your health is suffering, it’s important to say so – or ask someone to say it for you.
If you need health or emotional support.
If tax debt is affecting your wellbeing, you don’t have to cope in silence.
You might consider speaking to:
- Your GP
- A local health professional
- A trusted friend or family member
For emotional support, you could also contact:
Samaritans – free helpline and online chat
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Shout – text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for confidential text support
https://giveusashout.org/
SANEline – mental health support helpline
https://www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support/saneline-services
If you’re in immediate danger or feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
If you need help with the tax problem itself.
If you’re on a low income and can’t afford professional tax advice, we may be able to provide support through our helpline. Find out more about the support we offer and how to get in touch.
It can be tough to ask for help but taking that first step is key to getting your tax debt issues sorted.