Pensioners 'unfairly' targeted by taxman

Pensioners have been unfairly hit with "unexpected tax bills" following poor decisions taken by HM Revenue & Customs, the official watchdog warned yesterday. 

By Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor
Published: 11:24AM BST 21 Sep 2010

Comments

The official adjudicator who deals with complaints about HMRC said she had become "seriously" concerned about the increase in cases she has to resolve where tax inspectors have targeted "vulnerable groups of people, particularly pensioners".

Last year, the adjudicator ordered HMRC to pay more than £100,000 in compensation to taxpayers it was deemed to have treated unfairly or poorly. The tax authority was also told to write off almost £1.8 million in tax credits it had overpaid.

 Related ArticlesMotorists and holidaymakers face 'green tax' rise of