Has anybody else encountered this problem.
We have recently been appointed as tax advisors to a new client. The client doesn't have a copy of the previous years Corporation Tax return and computations and the old accountants have failed to suuply it. After submitting a 64-8 we contacted HMRC and requested a copy of last years submitted figures. We were told they can't/ won't send out this kind of information as it is archived.
We questioned how we obtain brought forward figures and were told it was the clients responsibility.
Again, we explanied the client doesn't hold this information and unless HMRC helped us the Corpration tax return would be filed with incorrect figures. astonishingly we were told this was this was the way forward!
Related resources
Replies (12)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
Senseless Revenue...
It is archived, and they can access it and send you the print outs of the archived form. They also have access to any carried forward losses, etc as these show on their system. They are just being lazy as it takes a few minutes to process such a request.
Phone back and ask for it again. If they refuse, ask them to explain how your client is expected to submit a correct Return this year. Record this conversation. Then submit a fax marked FAO 'complaints officer' and submit an official complaint about the attitude of the staff and the lack of help in supplying information on one of their 'customers' to their duly appointed representative resulting in a potentially incorrect return which will be entirely down to the Revenue.
Shake the tree.
Agreed
Don't let them fob you off - complain.
I would also send formal notification that you cannot file accurate accounts due to HMRC's deliberately obstructive attitude and that neither you or your client will be responsible for and errors made. I would then add that all additional work caused by HMRC's unreasonabe behaviour will be charged to HMRC and you will expect their cheque within 7 days.
Reconstruct
I've had similar problems where even helpful HMRC - oxymoron? - can't supply info, notably un incorporated businesses where no comp supplied by previous agent to HMRC, can't get from agent, etc.
The approach I've taken is a reasonable reconstruction of the last two or three three years comps to try and get as close as poss to wdv etc, and leave it there.
Getting Info from HMRC
Put in a Freedom of Information request, they CANNOT ignore that !
Currently have the same problem
We took on a new client last year. They have no records of the accounts and their previous advisors have disappeared. When we initially contacted HMRC they said to get the accounts copies from Companies House. We have done this but it only assists with the Balance sheet and so we have submitted abbreviated accounts but do not have comparatives for the full accounts to be sent to HMRC by 31/5/2011. We have chased them for six months now and they have promised that they will look into it. The usual excuses such as lack of resources, unable to get to the archives etc etc. As a last resort I am planning to submit the accounts, without any comparatives and will mention the facts of the case on the covering letter and telling them that if they want to see the comparatives they can pull it out of their archives!!
As for the tax computations, they are able to print off from their screen the data entered on the CT600. It does not look very pretty but it contains all the CT600 information. They certainly do not need to access the archives to get the figures for this one! This still does not give you all the information you need for the tax computation but something is better than nothing.
Good Luck...
Me too
Yep, had same problem and had to re-create. This is amazing isn't it? They have the info but won't give it out. And as for the stuff being archived - surely this is stored elctronically so it can't be that hard to get at. Maybe next time HMRC visit I'll say I've got the info they need, it's fine thanks but no they can't actually see it 'cos it's filed.
This must be breaking some law somewhere - data protection, freedom of information. Law of commonsense obviously.
Vince Cable is my MP. I might go and have a chat to him about this.
Just a thought -
I wonder how they would react if when we get requests for information we told them that we "cant access our archives" ?
No comps
I had a Corp Tax case where the previous advisors would not send copy computations. Asked HMRC, who,to be fair, were as helpful as they could be be - there were no comps to send me because the previous two years' were accepted with no computations! When I pointed out that the net profit in the badly presented accounts could not be the DCI, (arithmetic errors in the P&L, Depreciation not written-back), I was told that Accoutns for small companies were accepted as is if they looked "home-made".
Maybe compulsory online filing/iXBRL is not such a bad thing!
Write again??
When I come across this kind of attitude which is thankfully rare, I just tend to write the same letter again and usually it's dealt with by someone else who just finds and sends me the info I ask for. It's amazing how differently their staff deal with things - some are just pig-headed fools but there are still plenty of them who actually want to help.
First time I noticed it was when I took over a partnership case that had been in business for years, spanning the intro of self assessment. In my standard letter to HMRC I asked for details of the overlap relief, or failing that, a note of the year end profit shares and assessable profits for the 2 tax years affected so I could work it out myself. They responded with a brief/curt reply that I had to ask the previous accountants for that kind of information (presumably the respondent didn't understand what I was asking for or couldn't be bothered to look!). The previous accountant was an unqualified bod who never bothered replying to anything, so no joy there. Then a few years later, they ceased trading and I really "needed" the overlap info - I'd forgotten I'd already asked HMRC and been refused, so I wrote asking for it and received full details in a very polite and informative letter that came back in just a few weeks - it was only when I filed their letter that I looked at the original reply at the back of the file and saw they'd previously refused to give that same information.
That's the thing with HMRC at the moment - there are too many unhelpful sods who seem to rejoice in being awkward - whether it be down to laziness or ignorance I don't know. Then just when you're about to kick the cat, you get to speak to someone at HMRC who really wants to help you. It really is about time that they had a mass cull of the ignorant lazy sods and looked after the decent staff!
Online Archives
What I'd like to know is, if the information is archived electronically, why can we not see it on our agent screen? Even if we have filed the returns, they are not available to view. Why?
Surely this would make life easier for HMRC. Or is that just my imagination?
Thanks for all the postings.
I was having a bit of a rant but I won't give up, I'll have another go at them today.
Its good to know I'm not the only one having issues with HMRC.