Tax warning letters sent in error

Mike Glew was told the mistake was due to 'computer error'

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has sent 4.7 million letters to taxpayers about their National Insurance contributions during the tax year 2004-5.

The letters, sent out over a period of 20 weeks, go on to warn that state pensions could be at risk from the underpayments.

Although the majority of the letters are genuine, the Revenue has admitted some have been printed erroneously.

No contributions

Working Lunch viewer Mike Glew and his wife both received letters stating they had made no contributions during the 2004 tax year.

"This was completely wrong as we have both worked throughout the year", he told the programme.

Mike was informed by Revenue & Customs it might take up to three months to sort out the error, and to call back then to double check.

The Revenue say they've been having a few problems which meant some National Insurance data had to be inputted by hand, causing delays.

Not fully updated

But despite some of the records not being fully updated, the system sent out the letters anyway.

Revenue & Customs have told the programme that no one will lose out from the mistake.

It is possible to check how much state pension you qualify for online by visiting The Pension Service website.

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