Some Salisbury nurses have been hit with HMRC bills of up to £10,000 to pay back by next month after being given the wrong tax code.

Employees at Salisbury District Hospital have spoken of the “tremendous shock” at being asked to pay thousands of pounds back in a short period of time.

“Our tax code is the last thing on our minds,” said one nurse.

READ MORE: Working extra bank shifts at Salisbury Hospital, for what?

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, is one of many of working at the hospital on bank - which are extra shifts alongside normal hours - to receive an unexpected tax bill by letter around two months ago.

The bill was for around £10,000, to be paid back by a date in June.

She told the Journal that when she contacted HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) she was told that the hospital had underreported her earnings to them, and she would like there to be an "investigation" into the issue.

The resident has worked at the hospital for nearly 42 years, and has been taking on bank shifts, including some night shifts, in addition to her full-time contract as an assistant practitioner.

She said: "Many of us were hit with bills between £6,000 and £10,000. One girl had to take out a loan to pay it, which is actually ridiculous. I have savings and I am in a position to be able to pay it back, but that’s not the point.

“They say we should be checking our tax codes but how do you know what your tax code is supposed to be and what you are supposed to be paying? I am a nurse, that’s what I am paid for. I am not an accountant. I do not deal with salaries and wages.

"When you have worked for somebody for so many years and never had any issue, you do not think to check your tax code. You just wouldn’t.

“Some of the employees have kids. Our tax code is the last thing on our minds.

“There needs to be an internal investigation. We would have to admit it if we had done something wrong.”

She added that she also contacted the salary and wages department at the hospital, which she has not heard back from.

Shortage of NHS staff

Bank shifts are roles for qualified NHS workers, to support the service when pressures are high. These workers choose when and where they work.

In a letter sent to the Journal last month, another worker hit with a £6,000 bill said that the hospital "relies very heavily on bank nurses" for shifts that are "not filled on the regular rota".

Describing it as a "tremendous shock", she said: "At no time were we informed that these shifts would be counted as a second job, and would be so heavily taxed."

She added that she has spoken "several times" to the finance department at the hospital, who said she "should have taken note" of her tax code, and told her to contact HMRC. HMRC told her to speak to the finance department at the hospital.

"Between the two of them, I’ve basically been told that it’s my fault that I wasn’t aware that I would be taxed this large amount of money and I need to repay it," she said.

"Call me naive, but surely this information should have been available to us before undertaking bank shifts."

The letter added that the issue does nothing for the NHS, which is already suffering a national shortage of staff.

'Unable to comment'

In response, the hospital told the Journal that they would maintain the confidentality of their employees.

A spokesperson for Salisbury Foundation Trust said that the trust is aware of the issue, affecting the personal tax of "a small number" of staff who have "both substantive and temporary contracts".

"Tax affairs are often complicated as everyone has a different set of circumstances and are always private," the spokesperson said.

"The relationship is between individuals and the HMRC. We are therefore unable to comment further or on any specific cases.”

According to government information, HMRC informs employers which tax code is to be used.

When approached for comment, an HMRC spokesperson said they were unable to comment on specific individuals or businesses, but added: “Where employees receive unexpected tax bills we will work with both employers and affected employees to support them in putting their tax affairs right.

“Anyone struggling to pay the tax they owe should contact us to discuss a time to pay arrangement, to pay the money in affordable instalments.”

At the time of printing, if an employee believes their tax code is incorrect, they can update their details on the government’s website.

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