Fees for Self Employed Tax Return

Fees for Self Employed Tax Return

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What is the charge to complete a self employed tax return for a tradesmen (turnover less than 70K)

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By mikeyban
03rd May 2014 20:22

What you can get away with....
Depends.... How did he come to you? If recommendation ... As per that other client if in same profession...

If coming to you on a time waste ... Depends on whether you want him?

If South of country it will be higher than North?
Its a judgement that you will have to make...you will not fail too many times!

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By HUGH W DUNLOP
03rd May 2014 20:42

What you can get away with...

Interestingly enough, I was watching TV last night and a plumber's van drew up outside a house.The apprentice made to get out, but the plumber restrained him saying 'Hold on a moment' At that a distraught woman came rushing out of the house screaming ' Thank goodness you have arrived. My toilet is burst and there's sewage everywhere'

At that the plumber smiled and said to the apprentice 'You can go now, but double the usual rates'

A lesson for accountants to use in January.

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Replying to DJKL:
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By Jim100
05th May 2014 00:03

sad...

HUGH W DUNLOP wrote:

Interestingly enough, I was watching TV last night and a plumber's van drew up outside a house.The apprentice made to get out, but the plumber restrained him saying 'Hold on a moment' At that a distraught woman came rushing out of the house screaming ' Thank goodness you have arrived. My toilet is burst and there's sewage everywhere'

At that the plumber smiled and said to the apprentice 'You can go now, but double the usual rates'

A lesson for accountants to use in January.

Sad people do take advantage of each other,  Unfortunately there are many cowboys out there with no morals.    I would only want to charge people what is the fair rate and in certain circumstances only what people can afford to pay.  

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Jim100
05th May 2014 00:15

Good for you

Mark - not sure you aware but this forum is not for marketing but sharing information and knowledge

By the way I had a look at your fees and they seem to be on par with London prices though I gather you are in Scotland. 

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By Jim100
04th May 2014 11:41

Should have become a plumber.

I ask this question as plumbing / electrician rates are going up yet accountancy fees seem to be falling in many areas as supply increases.   In fact think soon a plumber/electrician will be on par with accountants in terms of earnings.

 

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By marks
05th May 2014 01:11

yes aware

Hi Jim, yes aware the forum is for sharing information and knowledge but never like an opportunity to make a pitch.

If I am on par with London prices then would be surprised as I am cheap compared to others in Central Scotland.

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Replying to Roland195:
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By Ken Howard
05th May 2014 09:20

Plenty of cheaper online chartered accountants

marks wrote:

Hi Jim, yes aware the forum is for sharing information and knowledge but never like an opportunity to make a pitch.

If I am on par with London prices then would be surprised as I am cheap compared to others in Central Scotland.

Also quite expensive compared with online accountancy websites, even more expensive than some online services provided by chartered accountants (from you website, it looks as if you're firm isn't regulated by a chartered body?)

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Replying to Roland195:
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By Jim100
05th May 2014 11:13

maybe

marks wrote:

Hi Jim, yes aware the forum is for sharing information and knowledge but never like an opportunity to make a pitch.

If I am on par with London prices then would be surprised as I am cheap compared to others in Central Scotland.

Yes that maybe the case and guess depends on demand and supply.  If you are getting the business and not losing clients then yes your prices are probably fair. I think prices are falling especially in the South East as perhaps more accountants are going into practice and competition from outsourcers based overseas. Sorry if I questioned your motive.

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By Tosie
05th May 2014 16:11

Prices maybe falling because ....................

It takes a lot less time to do a tax return now than even five years ago,

Many clients are using spread sheets.

Bank statements can be down loaded so there is none of the waiting for client to try and find them.

A lot of the expenditure has been paid by card rather than cash.

Online filing and email can cut out meetings.

For a non vat registered trade person without staff I would charge between £250 and £350.

Looking at web sites my fees are average and have not moved much in recent years but I spend a lot less time earning my pittance.

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Replying to skirkpatrick:
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By Jim100
05th May 2014 19:32

Yes well put

Tosie wrote:

It takes a lot less time to do a tax return now than even five years ago,

Many clients are using spread sheets.

Bank statements can be down loaded so there is none of the waiting for client to try and find them.

A lot of the expenditure has been paid by card rather than cash.

Online filing and email can cut out meetings.

For a non vat registered trade person without staff I would charge between £250 and £350.

Looking at web sites

 my fees are average and have not moved much in recent years but I spend a lot less time earning my pittance.

Totally agree. It doesn't take long to file a tax return if the information is in order but the value add is to save the client taxes hence why sometimes the higher fee is justified especially in respect to new clients.  I am thinking towards higher fee first year but a much lower fee in subsequent years.  Sometimes its just a case of teaching the client to keep proper records which will make life easier for us accountants though perhaps resulting in a lower fee in subsequent years.

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