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Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:26 pm
by QuinnSen
I have ILR and next year I will be applying for citizenship. I recently found out that a few years ago I messed up on my tax return. I believe in correcting mistakes and paying the right amount of taxes so I am having my accountant notify HMRC and will pay the back taxes, interest, and any penalty. My question is, will this hurt me when I apply for citizenship?

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:36 pm
by nidaulhaque
It was quite big news one of guy got rejected due to this reason Google it I am sure you will finfout

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:30 pm
by QuinnSen
nidaulhaque wrote:
Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:36 pm
It was quite big news one of guy got rejected due to this reason Google it I am sure you will find out
Unless I am wrong, you are referring to the tax amendment problems T1G's are having when applying for ILR. I haven't heard anything about citizenship problems.

You are referring to the recent articles in the Guardian, correct?

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:55 am
by alterhase58
AFAIK this does not affect naturalisation applications, as long as you have complied with any arrangements you have made with HMRC re. back taxes, late fees, etc.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:01 am
by aliq09
IMHO , the question to ask here is

1) Is this was earlier ILR period and you didn't mention it in application and you just got lucky! . If you answer YES to this part than this will create a problem for you...

2) If this is after ILR and you have done all arrangements with HMRC and can provide documentary evidence than you are all good to go.

Please always remember hiding any sort of info from HO is always always a bad thing ...

Good luck!

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:06 pm
by QuinnSen
aliq09 wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:01 am
IMHO , the question to ask here is

1) Is this was earlier ILR period and you didn't mention it in application and you just got lucky! . If you answer YES to this part than this will create a problem for you...

2) If this is after ILR and you have done all arrangements with HMRC and can provide documentary evidence than you are all good to go.

Please always remember hiding any sort of info from HO is always always a bad thing ...

Good luck!
I'm not sure of what you mean by the way you phrased your answer.

My situation:

• I've had ILR since early this year. Next year I will apply for BC.
• Two weeks ago while doing some financial planning I realized I paid taxes to the wrong country (my home country) the very first year I moved here (about 7 years ago). This was under the advice of an accountant at the time.
• Since I only found out about this error now, after I got my ILR, I obviously couldn't correct this before now nor would I have known to have mentioned this on my IRL application.
• So again, I've never withheld anything from the HO during my ILR application process.
• And the visa route I was on had nothing to do with needing to submit financial statements or tax returns or saying I made "this much money" each year. (I was not a T1G or T2 visa holder). I didn't need to submit financial records or tax records with my ILR application.
• But again, I believe in fixing mistakes and coming forward and paying taxes owed, so that is what I am in the process of doing right now.
• Again, this is me coming forward–not me getting any kind of letter or notice from HMRC.

So based on this, will I have a problem with BC?

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:16 pm
by QuinnSen
I would like to believe that coming forward to fix a mistake and pay taxes would be seen as a plus in this country and be proof, in fact, that one does possess good character. I hope this is the case.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:17 pm
by CR001
What visa did you hold?? You have not stated this.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:21 pm
by QuinnSen
T1E

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:21 pm
by QuinnSen
I would just be terribly upset if doing the right thing and correcting an honest mistake would mean I can't get BC.

This would mean it would be a disincentive to come forward and fix a tax error as you would be punished in a way a British person would not be.

The tax year in question was even before the visa scheme that I earned my ILR on.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:37 pm
by TheRock9
QuinnSen wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:21 pm
I would just be terribly upset if doing the right thing and correcting an honest mistake would mean I can't get BC.

This would mean it would be a disincentive to come forward and fix a tax error as you would be punished in a way a British person would not be.

The tax year in question was even before the visa scheme that I earned my ILR on.
Hi,

Seriously it is like a catch twenty two. Which visa you were on at that time. Whats the last date you can amend this tax record ?

Thanks

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:41 pm
by CR001
TheRock9 wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:37 pm
QuinnSen wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:21 pm
I would just be terribly upset if doing the right thing and correcting an honest mistake would mean I can't get BC.

This would mean it would be a disincentive to come forward and fix a tax error as you would be punished in a way a British person would not be.

The tax year in question was even before the visa scheme that I earned my ILR on.
Hi,

Seriously it is like a catch twenty two. Which visa you were on at that time. Whats the last date you can amend this tax record ?

Thanks
QuinnSen wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:21 pm
T1E

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:51 pm
by QuinnSen
At the time of the incorrect tax filing I was on a PSW visa. This was six or so years ago. This was before I entered a T1E visa route, which I earned my ILR on.

I’m not technically amending my tax return because the deadline has passed. I am telling HMRC I need to pay more in taxes than I reported due to an error from my accountant. My new accountant says people do this all the time.

And my visa solicitor says I shouldn’t worry about this as it will have no bearing on BC.

But I wanted to see what people’s experiences were on these boards.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:56 pm
by TheRock9
QuinnSen wrote:
Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:51 pm
At the time of the incorrect tax filing I was on a PSW visa. This was six or so years ago. This was before I entered a T1E visa route, which I earned my ILR on.

I’m not technically amending my tax return because the deadline has passed. I am telling HMRC I need to pay more in taxes than I reported due to an error from my accountant. My new accountant says people do this all the time.

And my visa solicitor says I shouldn’t worry about this as it will have no bearing on BC.

But I wanted to see what people’s experiences were on these boards.
Well i think as you mentioned its you who is informing HMRC and they havent raised the issue, so it should be fine. You're right as people do it all the time and that tax return has nothing to do with your ILR visa route either.

Re: Will amending my taxes affect my citizenship application?

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:28 pm
by nidaulhaque
Well I know people do all the time but if you get case worker who is d....t then may this cause trouble for you

Sometime doing things right makes worst
You had advise from others it's down to you how you like to use it.