Guernsey islanders say tax office has fined them in error

People were said to be queuing for answers at the tax office in Edward T Wheadon House

Some people in Guernsey claim they have received a £200 fine for late submission of their tax returns - after sending them in on time.

Among those affected was former postman Royston Gallie, who said he returned his form both online and by post but was still fined by the Revenue Service.

Mr Gallie must now go through an appeal process, he said, to refute the fine.

The Revenue Service said the number was "not unusual and in keeping with previous years".

Mr Gallie said: "Basically I told them I did one online and it says it's pending but they are saying it's still not come in.

"Then I did one by post but she said she hadn't received it and it's my word against theirs'.

"I've now been given a £200 fine which I refuse to pay."

'Could be anywhere'

Mr Gallie said he was appealing the fine, having filled out a third tax return which he has handed in personally.

"There was a massive queue. I feel very angry, I've never had a problem before and to get this after working for 40 years is disgusting really," he said.

Wendy Piriou said she was also incorrectly fined.

Ms Piriou said when she told the tax office she had submitted her form on time by post they said it "could be anywhere".

"They said I should fill in another so I queued for an hour but hopefully it should be all right now."

She said receiving the fine had made her feel "hopping mad", adding: "I've handed it in personally, the appeal thing, to make sure."

In February, the Revenue Service said about 14,000 tax returns for 2022 still needed to be submitted.

It said if a customer believed they had received a late filing penalty in error they should contact the service.

The Revenue Service said differences in tax reference numbers could be an issue and a common issue involved when people's circumstances - such as getting married - had changed in the tax year.