Thread: Warning of winding up action - How long have I got?

Hi Bob, a very good point but most of our customers are members of the public who send in order forms by post with their cheques or credit card details. Being a seasonal business, the 2010 order forms started going out about six weeks ago!

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt63 The reasons for writing a letter is that it will hopefully give us more time. I spoke HMRC last time and to be frank it did not achieve anything. They bullied me into agreeing an impossible payment plan that I didn't have a hope of sticking to, by threatening all sorts of horrible things if I didn't agree... I'll keep a copy of the letter by the door, but fortunately we don't have...

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt63 The reasons for writing a letter is that it will hopefully give us more time. I spoke to HMRC last time and to be frank it did not achieve anything. They bullied me into agreeing an impossible payment plan that I didn't have a hope of sticking to, by threatening all sorts of horrible things if I didn't agree... I'll keep a copy of the letter by the door, but fortunately we don't have...

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt63 HMRC phoned today rejecting my offer (which spread payments over 12 months)(the maximum I could afford). They said they wanted payments in full over 3 months. I asked them to send me a proposal as to what they would accept. They refused. They said it was up to me to put forward an acceptable proposal otherwise they would initiate winding up proceedings. What do people suggest? Matt Call them - and send the...

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt63 HMRC phoned today rejecting my offer (which spread payments over 12 months)(the maximum I could afford). They said they wanted payments in full over 3 months. I asked them to send me a proposal as to what they would accept. They refused. They said it was up to me to put forward an acceptable proposal otherwise they would initiate winding up proceedings. What do people suggest? Put your proposal in writing as...

Do you have to take payment by credit card at all? Just move your customers over to paying you by BACS via internet banking. It is now far quicker than a credit card transaction and a lot cheaper - free actually! I now have my bank account no and sort code printed on my invoices and encourage clients to pay me direct into my bank. Most do, and the others send me a cheque. I find it a far better system than cards. Cheers Bob

And bear in mind that this is probably your final chance - miss the promised payment and then are very unlikely to help more. Good luck but my advice - get off here, sit down with a spread sheet, work out a realistic cash flow plan. If it adds up all well and good - if not don't bury your head in the sand. Problems tend to get worse if ignored. Harsh - yes Realistic - yes

You would think with the postal strikes HMRC would have way of getting important letters delivered by other means. Bit harsh on companies if 7 days notice reduced to 0 days because of the postal strikes.

Quote: Originally Posted by Geoff T i WAS going to say "surely they'll allow for the postal strike"...then thought better of it... Seconded - call them ASAP!! they don`t even allow for someone going away for ten days holiday.

If you still think your business is viable I would try and come up with some money for them pretty quickly....even if this means borrowing from friends and family.....Revenue and customs will not be messed about over payment plans etc. from my experience