If you are aged around 60 and are on a low income, then you probably can't afford to pay for tax advice. But, managing your own affairs can be hard – the UK tax system can be complex and hard to understand at the best of times. There is, however, some help available. What is TaxHelp for Older People (TOP) and what can it do for you?
A Free and Independent Tax Advisory Service for Older People
This service was established in 2001 by the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group in association with the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Although it is now run by an organisation called Tax Volunteers, its aim remains the same: it gives free independent advice to older people on low incomes. Help is given across the UK at no cost, often in advice surgeries in local centres, by tax professionals who volunteer their time.
Who Qualifies for the TaxHelp for Older People Service?
As a rule of thumb you need to be approaching 60 (or older) to get free help from TOP. Your household income (either as a single person or jointly with a partner) shouldn't be more than around £17,000 a year. In some cases, for example if you care for an older person who would themselves be eligible, you can apply for help as their representative.
What Kind of Help is Given?
The service doesn't set guidance criteria, but is set up to help you with any kind of tax query, problem or information need. So, for example, an adviser could help you:
- Learn about how the tax system deals with income/assets in older life
- Fill in forms
- Reclaim overpayments
- Check PAYE coding
- Deal with letters from HMRC
- Run a healthcheck to make sure that you are being taxed correctly
If you don't have much money to spare, this could help you get confidential and professional advice free of charge at a time when you cannot afford to pay to get help.
How to Contact TaxHelp for Older People
To find out the best way to get advice you should call the service's helpline on 0845 6013321 or 01308 488066. According to the website, lines are not always manned, so you might need to leave a name and number on the answerphone so that someone can call you back.
In some cases, you may be guided to make an appointment at an advice surgery local to you; in others (i.e. if you have a simple question) you may be given help over the phone. If you are disabled and can't easily make an appointment, it may be possible to arrange a home visit from an adviser. The TOP website also has a section with FAQs that may answer some basic questions.
Source:
- TaxHelp for Older People, accessed online August 8, 2011.
Carol Finch - Carol Finch is the Topic Editor for Retirement Planning, Budgeting, E-Commerce & Technical/Business Writing on Suite101.
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