Internet sites 'should not be relied on to calculate teacher tax liabilities'

Internet websites that claim to calculate people's tax liabilities should not be relied upon by teachers, an expert has said. 

Valerie Smart, from accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers made the comments in response to a question in Scotland on Sunday.

She was asked by a retired teacher Fergus Hughes if his income tax liability should be £9.71 per month like a website told him, or whether it should be just over £50 per month, which his rate is currently set at.

"This question highlights the importance of not relying on internet sites to calculate your tax liability," Ms Smart said.

She then explained to Mr Hughes that "the internet site incorrectly deducted the annual age allowance of £7,550 and the married couple's allowance of £6,285 from [his] total income of £15,000."

Retired teachers such as Mr Hughes may wish to seek financial advice from Wesleyan for Teachers.

Mr Hughes had both a state pension and a teachers' pension and earned £15,000 per year.

According to an article in the Times last year, only 46 per cent of people are putting enough money in to their pensions.

Source: Scotland on Sunday

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