Taxpayers warned over rebate claim agents

Taxpayers have been warned to beware of online agents that offer to help them claim rebates from HMRC, with experts saying some firms appear to be taking advantage of tax relief payments owed to people forced to work from home during the pandemic. Analysis of some of the agents’ websites suggest applicants could receive hundreds of pounds in rebates if they submit a claim via the firm. However, people may be signing over the rights to up to 50% of any refunds due to them from the last tax year, plus any backdated claims for the previous four years. The Guardian’s Anna Tims says company names tend to be variations on the words “tax rebates” or “tax refunds” so that they appear at the top of a Google search, adding that they typically offer a free estimate, and advertise eye-catching sums allegedly won for previous customers.

 

The Guardian

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