I?HAVE written several times to warn taxpayers of mistakes made by the 'so-called experienced' members of staff at H.M.R.C.

Recently I read on the B.B.C news headlines that a check has been made by H.M.R.C and thousands, if not millions, of people, including pensioners would be receiving more notices informing them that they owe money to the Inland Revenue. It read that some people would owe in the region of £1,000 or more. Some people may be getting a refund.

I completed my tax return, as usual, and sent it off on June 1, 2011. My details had been checked by an 'experienced' member of staff in the Self-Assessment Department. According to this person I owed H.M.R.C £1,034.20. I was informed that I could pay the first payment of £517.10 due by January 31 2012. The second payment to be made by July 31 2012, again being £517.10.

I was absolutely horrified as I knew that if I did owe money it was less than £2.

Having completed tax returns for many years I did not know why I had made such a mistake.

I checked my calculation submitted by an 'experienced' person responsible for tax calculations.

First error was incorrect personal allowance. I had been given £6,475, being the amount for a person under the age of 65 years. I am well over 70 years.

Second error was the Married Couple's Allowance which I have been allowed to have for many years. I had been allowed £267. The correct amount should have been £696.50 according to my PAYE Coding Notice.

I wrote to the Assessment Department and informed them of the correct allowances that I should have had. I am owed by the department 30p. (I nearly requested a refund in full).

I would urge everyone, especially pensioners over the age of 65 years and who pay tax, to thoroughly check their calculations if they receive one or are demanded money by H.M.R.C. If the taxpayer does not know the allowances they are entitled to they should make enquiries to find out.

I think it is an absolute disgrace that people are employed by H.M.R.C to work out how much a taxpayer has paid, or is owed, and they do not know the allowances people, especially pensioners, are entitled to by law.

I am thinking of applying for a job with H.M.R.C because every year I have problems with my tax details and I always have to correct details supplied as a result of my completed tax return. I cannot believe it is just me who has problems with H.M.R.C.

It is getting to be a nightmare submitting a tax return. I wonder if H.M.R.C is demanding money in excess of what is owed in order to try and put the country's debt in order?

People should not be frightened of H.M.R.C. They make mistakes and taxpayers have to correct them. Know what allowances you are entitled to and show the staff at H.M.R.C how to do their job correctly.

– Janet P Pennock, Ruardean Wood­side.