This site is about
UK Tax Credits

3^rd SECTOR UPDATE : AGM 2009

During the past 12 months I have been a regular contributor to the Tax Credit threads on MoneySavingExpert.com, one of the largest consumer forums in the UK, and have regularly posted advising people to visit TaxCC.org and our forum to obtain advice about dealing with Tax Credit overpayments. I have also made contact with several forum moderators who are supportive of TaxCC and as a result, the forum URL has now been published as a source of help and advice on their webpage about Tax Credit overpayments. From statistics obtained using Google Analytics, referrals to TaxCC.org from MoneySavingExpert.com now account for 25% of all visits to our site.

In May, Paula and I met with John Andrews and Victoria Todd of LITRG and Katie Lane of CAB Policy Unit, to discuss how TaxCC operates and whether we could work in partnership with those organisations. The meeting was useful in order to put names to faces, and to establish a communications path with these organisations, and there has been significant liaison between Paula and Victoria since then.

Locally I am currently working with Cumbria Mental Health Group, a user led charity contracted by the NHS to obtain feedback from mental health service users about services and other issues, with my main area of interest being Benefit and Financial issues affecting mental health service users. CMHG intends to lobby DWP with a view to simplifying sickness benefit claims for those with severe and enduring mental health conditions, and I am hoping to be able to provide a greater awareness of the risk to recovery and indeed the likelihood of causing a deterioration in mental health for those receiving Tax Credit Overpayments. I am also currently promoting HMRC guidelines about Tax Credit Overpayments for people with mental health conditions, which sadly HMRC does not publicise and rarely adheres to. I hope to be able to access Benefit Advisor Training through my involvement with CMHG which may mean that I will be able to provide advice and support for mental health service users with Tax Credit Overpayments.
I have maintained a database of statistics based on new forum members and am producing a comparative analysis of new forum members in Oct 2008 and Oct 2009. This will be available at the AGM. I intend to produce a full year of forum statistics by the end of 2009, which may show interesting trends in new membership and seasonal fluctuations in response to HMRC deadlines and overpayment notifications.

For health reasons, I have not been able to contribute as much as I would have liked, but am happy to continue in my current role and in supporting other Trustees in their work for TaxCC.

Jessica Stam
3rd Sector Liaison
Tax Credit Casualties

[Top]

Tax Credit Casualties (TCC) is a voluntary, unfunded, not for profit organisation run by members for members. We cannot take any responsibility for decisions made by HMRC, The Parliamentary Ombudsman, The Adjudicator, or any other organisation, regarding claimants cases. We offer free advice on how to dispute unfair overpayments based on our own experiences, the experiences of other claimants and HMRC guidelines.
Please note that we are not tax professionals and are working on a voluntary basis, unpaid, in our ‘free time’. Between us, we have a lot of experience and knowledge in this area, gained over the last few years of supporting victims and helping them fight for justice and their rights. Legislation, operating practices and individual cases change all the time, and while we aim to be professional and accurate at all times, please understand the circumstances we are working under and accept our support, guidance and information in the sprit it is offered; goodwill and camaraderie.

Our Standards
TCC was established to provide advice and guidance on disputing recovery of non-fraud tax credit overpayments and to lobby for fundamental change on the inbuilt flaws and inequalities of the tax credit system. Whilst TCC provide guidance and information on how to handle disputes and even provide an advocacy service in some instances, neither TCC as an organisation not any participating members are responsible or liable for outcomes of disputes which remain wholly the remit of HMRC, the Adjudicator and/or the Parliamentary Ombudsman, as appropriate and dependent on the stage of dispute. TCC operate in a professional manner and endeavour to give accurate and appropriate advice based on information provided by members. TCC endeavour to respond to members as quickly and efficiently as possible, given the voluntary nature of the organisation and limited resources available. TCC is an inclusive organisation and will treat all members in a fair and equitable manner.

          Problems, suggestions or comments : E-mail the WebMaster