I REFER to the letter on income tax from Mr A Telford (HAS, Mar 8). I am in the same position.

I received a demand for £648.42 unpaid tax last year.

This was definitely a shortcoming on its part but I was told it was my responsibility to totally understand my code numbers and how the tax was deducted.

At the age of 76, I feel we should be able to rely on HMRC’s expertise to ensure that the deductions are correct.

I asked for three years to pay and am consequently paying £217 per year for three years.

To enable me to do this, I only have my heating coming on very low for five hours a day. I cannot afford to heat my house any longer.

The thought of all the taxdodgers, especially the banking millionaires, really gets to me.

M Burton, Shildon.