Politics · United Kingdom · 13 hrs ago
HMRC says it will not send debt collectors to pensioners’ homes
A person asked HMRC about a tax bill sent to their 89-year-old father over his pension income.
HMRC said the letter was a simple assessment, used when it can calculate tax owed from information it already holds.
A bill may be due when a state pension and other taxable income exceed the tax-free allowance and the tax cannot be collected through a tax code.
HMRC said it will never arrange a debt collector visit to someone’s home over an unpaid amount.
The tax authority said the bill can be paid in instalments before its due date, or a payment plan can be set up if the date has passed and the person cannot pay.
HMRC said it does not currently charge interest or penalties on overdue simple assessment debts, although the letter warns that interest may be charged.
HMRC said it would never arrange for a debt collector to visit someone’s home over an unpaid amount.
The clarification followed a person’s concern about a letter saying their 89-year-old father owed tax on his pension.
HMRC said the letter was a PA302 simple assessment, used when it can calculate tax owed from information it holds.
The tax authority said the amount could be paid in instalments before the due date, or through a payment plan if the date had passed.
HMRC said it does not currently charge interest or apply penalties to overdue simple assessment debts.
- Who
- HMRC and a person seeking advice about their 89-year-old father.
- What
- HMRC said it would not arrange a debt collector visit to collect tax owed.
- When
- The article was published on 17 October 2026.
- Where
- The person contacted HMRC on social media. The country is not stated.
- Why
- The person was concerned about how tax owed on their elderly father’s pension would be collected.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A person contacted HMRC on social media after their 89-year-old father received a letter saying he owed tax on his pension.
HMRC clarified the payment options and said it would never arrange a debt collector visit to someone’s home over an owed amount.
- Pensioner
- 89-year-old father
- Letter type
- PA302 simple assessment
- Home visits
- HMRC said it would never arrange a debt collector visit over an owed amount
- Payment option
- Instalments before the due date, or a payment plan if the due date has passed
- Overdue simple assessment debts
- HMRC said it does not currently charge interest or apply penalties
What people are saying
never
He can make as many payments as he can before the due date.
If the due date has passed and he is still unable to make a payment, then he can set up a payment plan to make it easier.