HMRC given powers to tax code small debts

From April 2012 HMRC will be able to collect debts up to the value of £2,999 by amending the tax code of individuals in PAYE employment or receiving a UK-based pension.

The first PAYE coding notices to include these changes will be issued from January 2012. A self-assessment debt or tax credit overpayment will be described on the P2 Annual Coding Notice as ‘outstanding debt’ with a note to say whether this is SA tax, a tax credit overpayment or both.