Starting new job and hasn't been paying tax, help!

Hi, I wonder can you help me, my best friend has finally got a job and he's delighted, however he has one big problem. He hasn't been working in year and half and wasn't claiming benefits. The reason for this is because before he was left go from his previous job (as a labourer) he realised they weren't paying taxes for him so he confronted them. When he confronted his boss he laughed at him and wouldn't help him and said it was his own problem. Then his boss left him go. He realised for the two years he was working for them he hadn't paid any taxes. He never received a payslip. He went to sign on and they gave him alot of grief over this so he didn't go back so he has been living off his parents/handouts since. He started his new job the start of this week and they are asking him for his P45, he doesn't have one and he can't say what he's been doing with the last few years. What can he do? Any advice appreciated. I know he has been naive but he is a very quiet person and just never liked confrontation and now its him thats going to suffer.

If his previous employer was not paying tax and PRSI then he should have reported them to Revenue and SW.

I can't understand how SW would have "given him grief" over this issue. They would have experienced this before and would be aware that it is the employer's responsibility to make the returns. They would initiate non-compliance action against the employer, not the employee. They would have awarded him "credited" contributions in lieu of the ones that should have been paid so that he would not suffer any loss (unemployment payments at the time, possible reduced pension in the future.)

It is not too late to get that sorted at this stage and he should do so thorugh Revenue as he now has to apply for his tax credits. He will not have to produce a P45 to his new employer as he was not employed in the tax year to date. I advise a personal call to Revenue outlining the full facts while applying for his tax credits cert.

Was in the same situation myself recently. My employer wouldn't supply me with a P45.. I phoned the revenue they issued a P43 (a form requesting the tax details) to the employer. He didn't return this and has since had a Revenue inspect his premises and audit him.

Welfare didn't give me any grief... In fact they were quite understanding and extremely helpful.

ellie79 said:

The reason for this is because before he was left go from his previous job (as a labourer) he realised they weren't paying taxes for him so he confronted them. When he confronted his boss he laughed at him and wouldn't help him and said it was his own problem. Then his boss left him go.

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Was he let go because he confronted his boss about not paying taxes, or was he being let go anyway?

It is not too late to get that sorted at this stage and he should do so thorugh Revenue as he now has to apply for his tax credits. He will not have to produce a P45 to his new employer as he was not employed in the tax year to date. I advise a personal call to Revenue outlining the full facts while applying for his tax credits cert.[/quote]

If calling to Revenue have a letter prepared giving details of dates of employment, employers name and address - any information they can use to trace the employer. As outlined above Revenue will just issue a tax credit certificate for 2008 and a P45 won't be necessary as you haven't worked in this income tax year.