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Finances

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Are you worried about debt, paying your taxes and making sure your national insurance contributions are up to date? If so, there is plenty of free and independent advice available to you.

Debt management

  • Directgov provides information about managing debt.
  • The Citizen's Advice Bureau offers clear advice on debt and tax issues. You can pop into your local branch in St Albans for face-to-face advice.
  • The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt. You can call the freephone helpline on 0800 138 1111 to speak to a debt counsellor.
  • National Debtline is a helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Call 0808 808 4000.
  • Connexions Direct offers confidential information and advice for young people on a number of topics, including money and debt.
  • talkaboutdebt website offers free, unbiased, independent help.

Credit and banking

  • Consumer Direct is a government-funded service offering information and advice on consumer issues.
  • The Financial Ombudsman Service settles complaints between consumers and businesses providing financial services.
  • The Independent Banking Advisory Service is a non-profit making banking customer membership organisation which resolves banking complaints and disputes and campaigns on banking customer issues.
  • St Albans District Credit Union is a community savings and loans co-operative. It exists to encourage the habit of saving and to provide fair loans to members.
  • St Albans Enterprise Agency (STANTA) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides general business advice and legal and financial surgeries for local businesses.

Tax and tax credits

  • HM Revenue and Customs website provides:
    • individuals with information on income tax, claiming tax credits, national insurance, and completing a self-assessment tax return,
    • employers with information on national insurance contributions/PAYE rates, and tax treatment of expenses, and 
    • businesses with information on setting up as a limited company, corporation tax, value added tax (VAT) and pension schemes.
  • Tax Offices for enquiries from individuals, the self-employed and employers.
  • Tax credits are payments from the government. If you are responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit.
  • Community Legal Advice provides free, confidential, independent legal advice on a number of issues including benefits and tax credits, debt, employment and housing.
  • Directgov provides information on money, tax and benefit

Pensions

  • The Pensions Advisory Service is an independent non-profit organisation that provides free information, advice and guidance on the whole spectrum of pensions covering state, company, personal and stakeholder schemes.  Call 0845 601 2923.
Date of last review: 05 August 2010

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