Outcry Over Demands for £75 Weekly Payment from State Pensioner

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is demanding £75 weekly from a state pensioner to recover overpaid tax credits, resulting in an outcry from those affected who collect payments from theDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Heartfelt Letter Sparks Outrage

In a heartfelt letter published by This is Money, a pensioner expressed their outrage: "I was medically retired from Royal Mail in 2015, after 32 years of employment. In 2021, I was told that I had been overpaid Working Tax Credits between 2003 and 2005."

Distress and Agony

Now facing a demand for £147 every two weeks from their state pension has left this individual in severe distress: "I was told that the money was owed, and that was that. But now they want to collect £147 fortnightly from my state pension, and I am beside myself with worry."

HMRC Reacts

Following the newspaper’s involvement, HMRC slashed the demand from £75 weekly to just £4 every two weeks. "HMRC has carefully reviewed Mr M's case and found the overpayments on his record are correct. DWP is collecting what's owed in an affordable way," a spokesperson for the tax authority stated.