HMRC’s “Helpful” Methods Are Actually Hurting Those Already in Pain
If you thought dealing with tax‑boards was tough, imagine having to navigate their “friendly” enquiry process while you’re already juggling financial abuse and a looming mental health crisis. That’s the situation described by Partner Fiona Fernie of the audit‑tax firm Blick Rothenberg, who says HMRC’s staff often fail to recognize how vulnerable their clients truly are.
When Your Money Disappears—And HMRC Gets Angry
- Case study: A client married to a husband who secretly moved money into their joint account and then pulled it back. She had no idea her “income” was being targeted.
- She never reported it to HMRC because she wasn’t aware it existed.
- HMRC’s response? “You failed to notify us.” Instead of asking why, they launched an aggressive investigation.
- After months of back‑and‑forth, HMRC concluded she had “no reasonable excuse.” Even though she was unaware, she was still punished.
The Fun Part: A Suicidal Attempt That Won’t Even Make Them Care
In the middle of this turmoil, the client attempted suicide—talk about a dramatic cliffhanger. HMRC’s reaction? “Schedule a GP appointment or call Samaritans.” It’s insulting considering the post‑pandemic nightmare of getting a doctor in time.
The “Missing Support” Gaffe
HMRC’s own website promises extra help for mental health, depression, anxiety, or domestic abuse. Yet, when the client and a “vulnerable” client (not even a victim of financial abuse) asked for it, nothing materialised. Instead, the bureaucrats kept dragging their feet, pushing for technical decisions that officially blamed the clients for not having clear financial records. The result? Our clients faced a mountain of interest and penalties for a 20‑year period they simply couldn’t afford.
What Fiona says the Fix Is
- Train staff: HMRC needs people who actually grasp the psychological toll of financial abuse.
- Act with compassion: Treat clients as genuine survivors, not silent suspects.
- Reduce delays: Fast‑track technical audits; don’t force victims to beg for updates while their stress stacks up.
- Real support: Offer the promised mental‑health resources, not just email boiler‑plate.
If you know someone who might be impacted by financial abuse—or even if you’re just someone who loves their taxes less than their sanity—keep an eye out. A few hundred extra words could be the difference between a “Can you refrain from spiralling?” and an “Replace a graveyard sigh with stamps on quick processing.”
