Messages of Support

Advice NI, the independent advice network for Northern Ireland, stated:

"Advice NI supports the tremendous work of Tax Credit Casualties. Through our own work with advice centres across Northern Ireland, we know that tax credit problems remain a huge issue, particularly for low income families who rely on this income. We also know that apart from the complex technical difficulties associated with the tax credit system, tax credit overpayments cause considerable distress, anxiety, dread and hardship.

Tax Credit Casualties not only provide invaluable technical support, but of equal if not more importance, provide an avenue for ‘casualties’ to voice their frustration.

Advice NI believes that the tax credit system is generally difficult for most people to comprehend and that overpayments remain an inherent risk within the tax credit system. We continue to advocate that the system for disputing the recovery of tax credit needs to be overhauled - the current system of HMRC acting as judge and jury in relation to making decisions on tax credit overpayments is unacceptable."

Dr. Ros Altmann, champion of the rights of pensioners deprived of their pensions through maladministration, has told Tax Credit Casualties:

"The whole tax credits system needs urgent change; however the Prime Minister is determined to stick to it, it seems. Armies of civil servants are employed at huge expense to administer payments to people who then find themselves with demands for overpayments, often due to errors made by the civil servants themselves. The whole policy is perhaps alright in theory but has proved to be unworkable in practice. People's working lives do not fit in with the system that has been designed. The Parliamentary Ombudsman was absolutely right. Whilst I just don't have any more time to devote to another cause, I wish you luck with what you are doing."

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. But legislation, operating practice and individual cases change all the time. 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.

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