Taxman declares Seaton woman dead

Inland Revenue apologises.

A SEATON woman got the shock of her life when she discovered she had been pronounced dead by the taxman.

Bernice Morgan received a letter from Inland Revenue last week and was slightly amused to read that she was deceased - according to Her Majesty’s records.

This incident comes after the taxman sent out the first batch of letters detailing the fates of thousands of taxpayers who may have overpaid or underpaid their taxes after a series of miscalculations.

Mrs Morgan said: “I’ve got a good sense of humour, so it struck me as funny - writing to tell you that you are dead.

“I think it is hilarious, but my friend was more worried about it than I was.

“I thought everybody was getting money back, not being told they are dead!”

Mrs Morgan had just prepared her tax forms to send off to her accountant before she received the letter.

She added: “Well, it was actually the envelope I couldn’t understand, because they always send me white envelopes. This one was a buff envelope, which looked quite soggy looking - like it had been in the rain and had gone all over the country.

“It had tape on the back of it and it was handwritten – I didn’t realise it was an official thing.”

Mrs Morgan has sent the form to her accountant and hopes the matter will be resolved.

She said: “I’m just glad I have got an accountant, as I wouldn’t want to do it myself.”

Bob Gaiger, Devon spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs, said: “We are very sorry to hear of the problems experienced by Mrs Morgan.

“We apologise to both her and her family for any distress caused by the letter we issued in error.

“We are looking into the matter and are taking immediate steps to ensure that it does not happen again.”