HMRC howlers

SIR – The letters on HMRC (November 5) reminded me of the occasion long ago when our local authority sent me a demand – through the post – for 1p to settle my outstanding business-rate liability.

I paid it by taping a 1p coin to the payment slip and posting it back to the authority using a second-class stamp. I explained in a covering letter (typed by my secretary, at a cost to me of £2) that the overall cost of this episode was about £4.

I deduce that the authority took my point, as I did not get either a reply or a receipt. Hugh Whitlock Milford on Sea, Hampshire

SIR – There is no dilemma for John Prescott (Letters, October 29) when it comes to addressing his demand for £0.00 in tax.

As HMRC requires nothing, he should do nothing. If it persists in sending absurd demands, he should send a registered letter or email to the head of the service (copying in the Chancellor of the Exchequer for fun) saying that the demands are causing distress.

If it continues, a criminal offence has been committed and a civil cause for damages arises under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

This proved to be effective in my legal practice before I retired. John O’Donnell West Mersea, Essex

SIR – I’m happy to report that last week I received an unexpected and unrequested cheque from HMRC to the tune of £327.60.

I gratefully banked it immediately, before there was any change of mind. Andrew C Pierce Bickington, Devon

SIR – More than 50 years ago, I remember my father pulling his hair out while getting conflicting missives from the taxman (Letters, November 5). He would hold one up in his left hand proclaiming “demand from Tweedledum”, and the other in his right proclaiming “refund from Tweedledee”. Nothing changes. Deborah Soutar Ceres, Fife