High Income Child Benefit Charge

I've had the same. The letter implies I might owe money as far back as 2012. I think the amount I apparenty owe for last year was around £120 or so.

The letter encourages me to contact them regarding the years further back to avoid 'penalties'...

Andy

I know! They really make you jump through hoops to do this.

I telephoned the number on the letter and they told me that the government had introduced this tax but had not given the relevent agencies access to the information they need. Therefore the tax office does not know what the Child Benefit office is doing and vice versa. The tax office decided to write to anyone who *might* be liable for this tax and then let them sort it out.

FWIW If anyone is interested the procedure is as follows:

1. Register for self-assement tax returns on
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   You'll need your NI number and other personal information for this.
2. Wait for them to write you a letter with your UTR ("Unique tax reference") which you need to create an online account.
3. Fill in the self-assement form.
4. Bang you head against a wall ;-)