SIR — I was glad to hear that at the G8 summit all the leaders present agreed that something needed to be done about tax avoidance, particulary with regard to the gigantic conglomerates that seem to have the clout to get away with murder.

With this in mind, about a month ago the tax office sent me a 36 page tome to fill in, querying my tax affairs between the years 2010 and 2011 - three years ago!

All this because I had bought shares in West Somerset Railway back then, which incidentally do not pay any dividends.

Included in this epic questionnaire were six pages on 'income from other properties', of which I have none. I recently built a cardboard coalshed for my train set but was too embarassed to declare it.

A further three pages on 'any other interest' in which I was sorely tempted to put 'a nice pint of Guinness', but this might have raised suspicions about how I could afford such a luxury.

Other pages included 'income from other employment' - I don't have any employment, much less other, unless you include washing-up and ironing, which I do free of charge. 'High income child benefit charge' I found strangely flattering as I am 71 years of age.

However, I had to dig up all the relevant information from these years, and I am not the most diligent person when it comes to keeping records.

I went to the Taunton tax office where my feeble but honest attempt was checked out and the massive form was duly sent off.

Imagine my surprise when last week I got a reply (five pages) in which threats were made that I owed them money, and if not paid promptly, would attract 'interest accruing' daily. The amount owing? £1.45.

Well at least I have done my bit to save our country from bankruptcy. . . . and the jobsworth (sorry, civil servant) who decided to send me this nonsense should plant a tree to replace the one he used up in paper and then get on with pursuing someone worthwhile.

Ray Brooker,

Chestnut Way,