READERS' of the Review might be interested to know that the Government and H.M.R.C are doing all they can to recover outstanding tax.

I submitted my annual Tax Return for 2011/2012 about May 2012. I pay income tax through P.A.Y.E due to a private pension and state pension plus income tax is deducted at source through bank and building society savings. I am also allowed the Married Couple's Allowance as my husband's income is below the Personal Allowance.

I received notification that there was an outstanding balance of £1.05p.

Before Christmas 2012, I received a Self Assessment statement showing that I owed £1.05p, and this amount was due by Jan 31 2013.

The statement also showed "The amount to pay is small. If you do not wish to pay now it will be added to your next statement but you may be charged if you pay late."

Now I wondered what would be the best thing to do? Should I send a cheque by second class post i.e. 50p, or should I visit my local branch and pay through the bank which would possibly cost me money. Then I considered what the interest charge would be. It would not be 50% which meant I would pay more by sending a cheques by post. I did consider asking for time to pay or pay by instalments.

It must have cost more to send me the Self Assessment statement than the amount I owed.

I have decided to wait until I submit my Tax Return for 2012/2013 to ascertain what the interest will be.

I am in my 70s and it is so reassuring to know that in the present situation everything is being done to ensure that pensioners pay their correct amount of tax.

– Janet P. Pennock, Ruardean Woodside.