How long are the inland revenue prepared to weight for payment?
Even if they give you “time to pay” (and they don’t have to) interest continues to accrue until the debt is paid. The demands you receive should specify when the payment is/was due by. There will be another demand or two before recovery proceedings are instituted, and maybe even a personal visit. Proceedings will depend on the amount of the debt and your circumstances. It could be Magistrates Court, County Court, distraint by bailiff (court order not needed, and Revenue officers can do distraints themselves), or if all else fails, bankruptcy proceedings. If it gets to the point of proceedings, you will incur extra costs to pay for it. If you are financially embarrassed, it may be beneficial to consider getting a bank loan, rather than pay Revenue interest rates and proceedings costs. Extent of time before proceedings depends on your location in relation to Recovery Section, and workstate.
