Completion of Tax Returns
Discussion
Can anyone complete Tax Returns on behalf of someone else, or at least assist them in doing so?
Since self asssesment came in, I have "helped" my colleagues complete their returns. They always signed the Returns themselves, I wasn't acting as their Agent, no money changed hands.
Despite having left the company earlier this year, some ex-colleagues have contacted me to see if I'll help them out by completing their returns for them to sign and submit.
They know I now have my own consulting business and are not expecting this for free (which is nice).
Do I have to register with someone or anything before I do this?
Thanks,
Simon
Since self asssesment came in, I have "helped" my colleagues complete their returns. They always signed the Returns themselves, I wasn't acting as their Agent, no money changed hands.
Despite having left the company earlier this year, some ex-colleagues have contacted me to see if I'll help them out by completing their returns for them to sign and submit.
They know I now have my own consulting business and are not expecting this for free (which is nice).
Do I have to register with someone or anything before I do this?
Thanks,
Simon
The answer is that anyone can enlist anyone they like to assist them in completing a Self Assessment tax return. The Revenue themselves are not concerned because, as far as they are concerned, the ultimate responsibility for what is contained in the return rests entirely with the taxpayer - not the individual(s) who assisted them.
If you are going to start doing this on a formal basis for your clients, you will need to incorporate the completion of the return into your "Terms and Conditions" agreement (usually in the form of a Letter of Engagement). This should ensure that the client knows EXACTLY what their responsibilities and duties are in respect of completing tax returns, and the limits of your responsibilities in this area.
If you are doing it formally, you should also consider whether you need to notify the Revenue that you are now acting as the client's tax agent. Whilst this is not essential, it does ensure that the Revenue keeps you "in the loop" regarding some (but not all) aspects of the client's tax affairs.
Being a registered "Agent" is going to be vital next year if you plan on submitting your clients' tax returns using the Internet Filing Service. You will only be able to do this for clients where you are the Authorised Agent and the correct form (64-8) has been filed at the Revenue.
For the next Self Assessment tax year (2007/08), Internet returns will be able to be submitted by the normal due date - i.e. 31 January 2009. However, the filing date for traditional PAPER returns is being made earlier i.e 31 October 2008.
If you are going to start doing this on a formal basis for your clients, you will need to incorporate the completion of the return into your "Terms and Conditions" agreement (usually in the form of a Letter of Engagement). This should ensure that the client knows EXACTLY what their responsibilities and duties are in respect of completing tax returns, and the limits of your responsibilities in this area.
If you are doing it formally, you should also consider whether you need to notify the Revenue that you are now acting as the client's tax agent. Whilst this is not essential, it does ensure that the Revenue keeps you "in the loop" regarding some (but not all) aspects of the client's tax affairs.
Being a registered "Agent" is going to be vital next year if you plan on submitting your clients' tax returns using the Internet Filing Service. You will only be able to do this for clients where you are the Authorised Agent and the correct form (64-8) has been filed at the Revenue.
For the next Self Assessment tax year (2007/08), Internet returns will be able to be submitted by the normal due date - i.e. 31 January 2009. However, the filing date for traditional PAPER returns is being made earlier i.e 31 October 2008.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 7th November 12:08
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