Same tax return sent twice over 1 year ago, need advice!

[taxsucks]

My girlfriend is Swedish but lived and worked in England for a year nearly two years ago. When we moved to Sweden she filed a P80ish to declare she was leaving the country and to claim any tax she had overpaid. Today we received a letter saying she has underpaid her tax by over £800. Looking back through her paperwork I think she was paid the same tax return twice meaning she received twice as much money as she should have. She had no idea this was a double (her English is not great) and the letters were sent with a gap of around 3 months.

What is likely to happen when I contact them?
Does it make any difference that it was their mistake initially?
Does it make any difference that she no longer lives in England?

Thanks for any help!

[pawncob]

Mistakes do happen, even (God forbid) with HMRC!!
Firstly, be satisfied that your explanation is correct. If she believed that her tax affairs were in order and has supplied all necessary info then she shouldn't have to refund it.

[towat]

If she believed that her tax affairs were in order and has supplied all necessary info then she shouldn't have to refund it.

I'm not so sure about that, certainly if she was still UK resident I feel sure HMRC would make her pay it back, through her PAYE code if necessary. As she has left the country however I don't know if they will pursue her or if they have the power to make her pay.

[taxsucks]

Thanks so much for the help!

I have a follow up question... Can the tax office add interest to money owed?

Thanks again!