Code BR when you're getting enough to be liable at higher rates is a sin but exactly who is to blame? Did you never get a notification of your code number to be operated for 2.5 years.... maybe not? But if you thought about it if code BR (did you know) was only deducting tax at basic rate then surely you must have realised you were getting paid enough to be liable at higher rates.
OK so you were getting the same net as your previous employer but you must have had some idea if your gross salary was higher or lower and if your code was different. I assume that you also have car benefits and /or medical benefits and these will have contibuted to any underpayment. I am surprised that somebody getting a salary at a level sufficient to take them into higher rates of tax never had any inkling that anything was wrong.... Ok look to your employer if you must but the only person that knows an employees personal circumstances well enough to know if there is a problem is the employee.....
sorry I know it must be difficult to comprehend but I think you need to look closer to home for the person that is responsible (if HMRC don't play any part in the strange set of affairs). Presumably no action was ever taken by anybody to say hey the employee is liable to higher rates and we are only taking basic rate tax and also no tax return was completed by you to return any BIK's
sorry to be pessimistic
regards
bill@wamstaxltd.comregards and hope this helps
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