Recommend me an accountant

[2Btoo]

Chaps,

I need an accountant. Well, my 80-year-old father needs an accountant, mainly to help him complete his annual tax return.

His current accountants are not providing a good service and he'd like to try someone new. I've asked the usual guy on this forum (who is excellent and who I use for my accounts) if he can help but he is not taking on new clients and (very regrettably) can't help. I've not named him here but I am sure he will read this post and he may choose to reply if he wants to.

The matters will probably be quite simple; income from an NHS pension and the state pension, divorce payments to his ex-wife (my mother), and that's about it.

If anyone can recommend someone that would be great. FWIW, my dad is in the Southampton area.


Thanks.

[Eric Mc]

Why does he need to submit a tax return? He doesn't seem to have any income that normally needs to be submitted under the SA system.

Maybe he should contact HMRC to see if he can remove himself from the SA requirement.

[2Btoo]

Eric,

Thanks. I think he's (just) a higher-rate tax payer, which I understand means he has to do a tax return.

It's worth looking at the numbers though, which is something I should do with him.

Thanks again.

[Eric Mc]

Being a higher rate taxpayer is not, on its own, a trigger for having to submit SA returns.

All the sources of income you quoted should normally be handled correctly through the PAYE system - including the State Pension. So, even if the combined pension income takes your dad into the higher rate tax band, PAYE should still take care of it properly.

UNLESS one of the pensions is a bit different - for example, the pension is from a former overseas employment.

[2Btoo]

Eric,

These are details which I am not 100% sure about, but as I understand it things aren't that simple.

NHS pension, a private pension (I think) and a state pension. Plus payments to ex-wife.

It's a question that is well worth asking. If I run through the numbers with him then how would we find the answer - call HMRC on the telephone and ask them directly? Or write to them? (Or something else?)

Thanks again.

ETA: .... plus gifts to charities. I wonder if that's the thing that sways it.

[Eric Mc]

2Btoo said:

Eric,

These are details which I am not 100% sure about, but as I understand it things aren't that simple.

NHS pension, a private pension (I think) and a state pension. Plus payments to ex-wife.

It's a question that is well worth asking. If I run through the numbers with him then how would we find the answer - call HMRC on the telephone and ask them directly? Or write to them? (Or something else?)

Thanks again.

ETA: .... plus gifts to charities. I wonder if that's the thing that sways it.

A bit more complex than you first suggested then

"The matters will probably be quite simple; income from an NHS pension and the state pension, divorce payments to his ex-wife (my mother), and that's about it."

[croyde]

I'm shocked that he's still having to pay money to his ex wife. Are you still under 18?

[2Btoo]

Eric Mc said:

A bit more complex than you first suggested then

"The matters will probably be quite simple; income from an NHS pension and the state pension, divorce payments to his ex-wife (my mother), and that's about it."

Yes ... probably! My mistake - sorry.

(Funny how some things get more complex the more you think about them.)

croyde said:

I'm shocked that he's still having to pay money to his ex wife. Are you still under 18?

Thanks - that made me smile! No, that birthday was 30 years ago now ....

It was due to the division of assets when the divorce took place. Again, it's probably more complex than I understand it to be, but not something I'e ever asked too many questions about.

[Eric Mc]

Maintenance Payments to ex-spouses or former civil partners is now only available for tax relief in very restricted circumstances .

Per HMRC -

You can get it if all of the following apply:

either of you were born before 6 April 1935

you’re paying maintenance under a court order after the relationship has ended

the payments are for the maintenance of your ex-spouse or former civil partner (provided they are not now remarried or in a new civil partnership) or for your children who are under 21

Maintenance Payments Relief is worth 10% of the maintenance you pay to your ex-spouse or civil partner, up to a maximum of £436 a year (or 10% of £4,360).

If these criteria are not met, then there is no tax relief available and therefore it would not trigger a Self Aseessment tax return on its own.