Blogging and tweeting

Blogging and tweeting

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Dear all

If one was to tweet/blog on tax related items but (as, alas. most of us are human) despite due care and attention and adequate quality control procedures, got a technical detail wrong on a 'tax tip', where does that leave one from a legal perspective? 

For instance, if a reader of the tweet/blog utilised a particular 'tax tip' they had read on a blog/tweet but the technical inaccuracy ultimately left them out of pocket, would they have a right to sue the tweeter/blogger?

I like the idea of using social media for marketing purposes and while I don't consider myself to be in the burgeoning  'frightened of their own shadow' class of accountants, I would still like to go into any such marketing campaign with my eyes wide open if possible.

Many thanks in advance for any responses.

Replies (8)

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By Rachael White
21st May 2013 09:34

While I don't have the specific answer to your question, we do have a very brief digest of social media law here.

I really like your question however - perhaps this is something we could cover in more detail on AccountingWEB in future.

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By John Collingwood
21st May 2013 10:13

Disclaimer?

I would have thought some kind of disclaimer - "Whilst every effort is made etc etc" would be enough to stop any attempts to sue.

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By pawncob
21st May 2013 12:23

Danger

 If you use this, I think it's dangerous:

Joe Bloggs, CTA

West House,

Boggshire.

 

Most people use a disclaimer, even if it's humourous.

 

With a pinch of salt take what I say, but don't exceed your RDApawncob Posts: 2652Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:06 pmLocation: West SussexPrivate message 

 

 

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By Steve Kesby
21st May 2013 12:50

Professional negligence...

... requires three elements to be present; a duty of care, a breach of the duty of care, and a financial loss that would be reasonably forseeable by the neglignt party. This sort of thing falls at the first fence.

Obviously if you go out giving duff tax/accounting information willy/nilly you're just promoting inadequacies, whereas I think it's generally accetped that best marketing practice to play to your strengths.

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By bernard michael
21st May 2013 15:49

Also be careful what you say .... Lord Mcalpine vs S Bercow ( I wonder how those last 3 letters are pronounced in this context)

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By paddy55
23rd May 2013 06:51

Gratuitous advice

A person can be liable in negligence for gratuitous advice (and acts). However such liablity can be mitigated by appropriate disclainers etc.

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By alicooke71
23rd May 2013 07:16

Word limit
Very hard to give any tax advice & include a disclaimer within 140 characters in twitter.

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By glenbogle
23rd May 2013 09:46

Advice should be paid for

If your business depends on it why give it away?

Or if you are asking for help paying for the advice confirms that you value the help you are given.

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