Accountant problem
Discussion
My accountant has been unwell for a while. I have been chasing my personal tax return since early December. He normally tells me around early November whats what so I started to chase and since then he has been in and out of hospital.
If I go online would I still be able to file the return myself? If I make a mistake and overpay I assume he can sort it once better in the next FY?
I have never completed a return myself and he has been doing it on my behalf since 03 so I don't want to cause more problems than I solve!
If I go online would I still be able to file the return myself? If I make a mistake and overpay I assume he can sort it once better in the next FY?
I have never completed a return myself and he has been doing it on my behalf since 03 so I don't want to cause more problems than I solve!
Hi Red-Sir,
If this is your first time, I can vouch for TaxCalc from Acorah Software (look for taxcalc in google). It is a step by step approach which is very user friendly and costs around £30. It can be downloaded.
However, you need a government gateway ID and need to register for SA tax (as my daughter has just been doing) if your accountant hasn’t set that up. Look on SA Tax pages on HMRC web site. You need to wait for a letter with the activation code, but according to helpline, if it is lost, you can apply for a replacement and will get an extra 2 weeks grace before you are liable for the automatic £100 fine for late filing. Please note this is not guaranteed and must be taken as is, advice off the internet!
If he has done it, then you need the ID and password for Taxcalc to submit the return.
Good luck, it worked for me since 2003! No connection with the company, just a satisfied customer.
Richardracer
If this is your first time, I can vouch for TaxCalc from Acorah Software (look for taxcalc in google). It is a step by step approach which is very user friendly and costs around £30. It can be downloaded.
However, you need a government gateway ID and need to register for SA tax (as my daughter has just been doing) if your accountant hasn’t set that up. Look on SA Tax pages on HMRC web site. You need to wait for a letter with the activation code, but according to helpline, if it is lost, you can apply for a replacement and will get an extra 2 weeks grace before you are liable for the automatic £100 fine for late filing. Please note this is not guaranteed and must be taken as is, advice off the internet!
If he has done it, then you need the ID and password for Taxcalc to submit the return.
Good luck, it worked for me since 2003! No connection with the company, just a satisfied customer.
Richardracer
Has he given you any information as to whether he can actually submit the return for you? If he can, when can he?
What will be the "worst case scenario" if you miss the filing deadline. It might be just the £100 penalty and (maybe)m some interest on a late tax payment.
If I ever get in a situation where I cannot file a return on time I sometimes knock the penalty charge off my fee as a gesture of goodwill.
What will be the "worst case scenario" if you miss the filing deadline. It might be just the £100 penalty and (maybe)m some interest on a late tax payment.
If I ever get in a situation where I cannot file a return on time I sometimes knock the penalty charge off my fee as a gesture of goodwill.
Nothing yet. I have been speaking to his mrs but she just answers the phones so does not know any of the detail plus she is up to her eyes in it as he is on chemo.
I am going to call again today to see if I can get my UTR and password. If I cant then I am going to call the tax office and ask what they advise given the late stage we are at.
I also have a call with another accountant later as I think its prudent to start the process of finding a new one now.
I am going to call again today to see if I can get my UTR and password. If I cant then I am going to call the tax office and ask what they advise given the late stage we are at.
I also have a call with another accountant later as I think its prudent to start the process of finding a new one now.
thebraketester said:
If you have your income and expenses and any other related figures you should be able to complete it yourself online. It’s quite straight forward.
That may not always be the case. Some situations are more complicated than others. It depends on the circumstances.It is probably too late to get another accountant to submit the 2017/18 return before 31 January. As I said earlier, the possible worst case scenario is that the £100 penalty is levied and some interest is charged on any late tax payments.
It is more important that the return is filed before 28 February and the 2017/18 liability is paid before that date - otherwise a 5% surcharge is levied on the 2017/18 liability. The 5% surcharge can be a lot more painful than the £100 late filing penalty - depending on the tax liability.
If you can find a new accountant now, you should be able to beat the 28 February deadline.
Spoke to HMRC they say he has till 15th Feb to do my return, but any tax owing has to be paid by 31st.
I have done a rough calculation, worst comes to worst I will just pay that tomorrow and then see what happens!
They were also kind enough to give me my UTR so have that now too.
Found a new accountant too so hopefully get everything sorted asap.
I have done a rough calculation, worst comes to worst I will just pay that tomorrow and then see what happens!
They were also kind enough to give me my UTR so have that now too.
Found a new accountant too so hopefully get everything sorted asap.
Just thought I would update. Our accountant passed away a couple of weeks ago. Been difficult to push them for answers as its a small family practice but I am getting there now.
One thing I just wondered if someone on here could verify. We brought up an issue last year with him after we noticed we were not getting our state pension credits. We have been on for the last couple of years, but the 8 years prior nothing.
I have some old SA302s and when I looked back on some occasions we were just under the PT. Other occasions quite a bit under.
I expected it to be an error his end, but I have now spoken to the other partner in the firm and he says its not an error and we were above the LEL so SP credits should be ok. He said we may need to notify the SP people of this fact.
Is that right? I was under the impression that you had to clear the PT?
One thing I just wondered if someone on here could verify. We brought up an issue last year with him after we noticed we were not getting our state pension credits. We have been on for the last couple of years, but the 8 years prior nothing.
I have some old SA302s and when I looked back on some occasions we were just under the PT. Other occasions quite a bit under.
I expected it to be an error his end, but I have now spoken to the other partner in the firm and he says its not an error and we were above the LEL so SP credits should be ok. He said we may need to notify the SP people of this fact.
Is that right? I was under the impression that you had to clear the PT?
Get a state pension summary see how many years you have.
If you have enough years don't worry about it, if you need to top up then top up.
Unfortunatly if for example your profits were only £1k one year, you aren't going to qualify that year, had this little ding dong with a client a few years ago, they manufactured the books so the profit was very low (not suggesting you are doing this), then grumbled he only had 6 years of contributions in terms of state pension, it was all my fault of course!
Easiest way get a pension forecast, see how many years you have, then go from there.
Or why not ask your new accountant? That's what he/she is there for!
If you are under the limit you are under the limit, not a lot can be done for it, apart from voluntary contributions. I would also say it depends on your age, as to if to top up or not, chances are in 30 years there will be no state pension anyway.
If you have enough years don't worry about it, if you need to top up then top up.
Unfortunatly if for example your profits were only £1k one year, you aren't going to qualify that year, had this little ding dong with a client a few years ago, they manufactured the books so the profit was very low (not suggesting you are doing this), then grumbled he only had 6 years of contributions in terms of state pension, it was all my fault of course!
Easiest way get a pension forecast, see how many years you have, then go from there.
Or why not ask your new accountant? That's what he/she is there for!
If you are under the limit you are under the limit, not a lot can be done for it, apart from voluntary contributions. I would also say it depends on your age, as to if to top up or not, chances are in 30 years there will be no state pension anyway.
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