bubblyrat, as I understand it from my friend who works for Age Concern, IF the 'outstanding Tax' is already in the process of being investigated, and IF it's obviously an error, one can't enter someone's home to recover a 'debt' which doesn't exist. Age Concern have solicitors representing these poor elderly folk, and (as I understand it) that is the position. But naturally, the old people are still living in fear, it isn't pleasant to have even received a letter like that. Surely, as old folk receive regular Pensions, it could be sorted out by a small extra payment each month spread over years to get things back on track (IF there is indeed an underpayment.) There have been suggestions that HMRC can't get back underpayments incurred by their own incompetence. No fraud has taken place, and people are subjected to PAYE, so in theory it should be written off.