PAYE105515 - Individual records: BF policy: when to create a BF

Before creating a BF you must 

  • Make full use of all available information with the aim of completing the correspondence or work item at the earliest opportunity
  • Consider whether information can be obtained using Business by Telephone

When creating a BF you must always refer to the relevant guidance for the correspondence or work item you are reviewing.

Underpayment in excess of the tolerance

If information is required to complete a review and there is a clear indication of an underpayment in excess of the tolerance for any year, then a BF must be created. Please refer to PAYE93075 for tolerances.

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Customer is deceased

If information is required to complete the review of a deceased customer record then a BF must be created to ensure the review of the deceased’s tax affairs can be completed at the earliest opportunity.

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Information or action required from within HMRC

If information or action is required from another HMRC office or Business Unit then a BF must be created, as it is the responsibility of HMRC to ensure the correspondence or work item is completed in its entirety.

Some examples of this include

  • Requests for specialist advice from another part of HMRC
  • Awaiting central guidance on a technical or IT issue
  • Awaiting further action by another HMRC office before the correspondence or work item can be completed
  • Transferring responsibility of a work item to a specialist office
  • Where you cannot take the required action to complete a review until a future date