Self assessment season

Self assessment season

Didn't find your answer?

November is the unofficial beginning of self assessment season (for some its a year long-process!). 

So we're asking, what are you doing differently this year? Let us know what mistakes from last year you won't be repeating, what new systems or ways of tackling late clients you've got, strange clients and odd receipts you've received that you refuse to deal with this time around or anything else you've decided to change - we  want to hear it all.

Or, if you've perfected the season and don't need to change, share how you've done that with us too.

The best 10 will make it into a round-up article at the end of the month.

Ready? Go!

Replies (14)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By hedglen
10th Nov 2014 15:15

A simple change to targets

A simple change to targets for us this year, instead of monitoring  "Tax Returns to Client" we've been working with "Tax Returns submitted to HMRC".

Despite initial reservations and grumblings (on my part, to be fair) it's worked incredibly well. Staff are incentivised and actually asking if we will make the monthly targets to HMRC. They are looking for Returns that can be done quickly or complex ones to be done at the beginning of the month, so that queries can go out earlier in the hope of getting a response. They have also been more willing to chase up queries with clients.

Thanks (1)
ghm
By TaxTeddy
10th Nov 2014 16:35

Zen and the art of tax Returns

BIG difference this year.

If the client is late I am not worrying about it.

 

Thanks (4)
By Rachael White
11th Nov 2014 12:04

I've spotted a few firms advertising their tax season discounts for clients who get returns in before Xmas, on Twitter. 

Are any of you taking the same approach?

Thanks (0)
By Nagindas Khajuria
11th Nov 2014 12:55

Practice presence advice

Advertise in your local paper: "Tax return advice from £10". When they call you, you can say it is in blocks of 10 minutes or 15 minutes of telephone, email or skype advice. This will ensure no time wasting calls from the very first minute of each call at this very busy period.

Thanks (1)
Replying to SteveHa:
Red Leader
By Red Leader
11th Nov 2014 13:06

get up to date in November

Do extra hours in November so that there's no backlog going into Dec/Jan.

Thanks (1)
avatar
By Saxby & Sinden
11th Nov 2014 17:00

I have never ever understood why the tax return submission deadline is such an issue.  We send reminder letters to clients in April, July & October, with a disclaimer letter in January.

We make it clear in our engagement letter that we can not promise to submit returns if we have not received the information by the end of September.  

We also make it clear that we will charge an ever increasing sliding scale of surcharges (% of fees) for returns submitted but information received after September, October, November etc.  

It all works well (we've never had an issue with a client).  In fact I'm on holiday for most of December & we always close down for the Christmas / New Year break.  

Planning is key!  Also not being frightened to say "no" to a client!  I have never understood why an accountant would want to act for someone who is habitually late with their paperwork.

Well, that has tempted fate ... 

 

Thanks (2)
avatar
By Natsmomma
12th Nov 2014 13:09

Refuse latecomers...

After a horrendous Christmas/New Year last year with late clients, I swore that I wouldn't take on any new business which came along after October for the prior year's tax return unless they were a golden opportunity for me. My handful of late clients already on my books have been given sliding scales of fees according to lateness.

I have finally learnt that these latecomers will be late every single year and usually they are a Disorganised Headache of a Client anyway.  Quality, rules, not quantity.....

Thanks (1)
avatar
By Duhamel
12th Nov 2014 13:30

Resigned acceptance
My firm will never increase fees for lateness, which is probably the only way to get information early. I'm resigned to the January rush.

What bugs me is the constant annual grumble about it, either accept it or move out of personal tax.

Thanks (1)
Jennifer Adams
By Jennifer Adams
12th Nov 2014 13:52

Resigned acceptance = not this year.

Last year I submitted a return at 11.30pm on 31 Jan and owed never again.Last year was hell.

The problem is that if you do miracles then that will be accepted as normal.

I write my own newsletters and each one from Sept onwards does a nag about getting stuff in. This year seems to be worse despite my nagging. I think it is more that people are up to their eyes in work and accounts are a secondary problem.

I dont want to actually say 'Dec 1st' or not at all - but this months newsletter will say something more forceful than 'dont forget'

I will also get my assistant to ring at least once a month and I will write a formal letter to all who havent got stuff in by 1 Dec saying 'I cant promise...'.

But I am going to do as TaxTeddy says - if they are not in by 1 Jan then tough if I dont get it done in time (unless it is an easy one I can do in 10 mins)

 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By buttinski
12th Nov 2014 14:10

Playing devil's advocate

What would we do if every client brought their books and records in on 1 August expecting a 4 to 6 week turnaround?

So within reason of course, it could be argued that latecomers are necessary for a steady flow of work.

Before everyone 'starts' - this is posted with tongue in cheek, but there is a case for being careful of what we wish for. 

Thanks (2)
avatar
By [email protected]
17th Nov 2014 09:42

The Intentional Accountant

In his book The Intentional Accountant, Darren Root offers a new perspective on ways to deal with Tax Season... certainly worth a read if you are looking for an alternative approach.

Thanks (0)
By Rachael White
17th Nov 2014 09:48

Sounds interesting

Thanks Simon, we might just have to do a review on that one! 

Rachael

Thanks (0)
avatar
By andy.partridge
17th Nov 2014 10:30

Occupational hazard

It's the same every year. I try carrot and stick approaches but there are only marginal differences to the January workload year to year. No matter how hard I try, it seems I can't change other people so I have had to change myself. That change means:

1. I should not be more interested in meeting the deadline than the client. If they don't care, why should I? 

2. If their tardiness results in my working unsociable hours and weekends, they should pay extra

3. I prepare psychologically (and with a stash of chocolate) for working many more hours than usual.

4. I am cheered that I will earn more than in any other month of the year - that's much better than the alternative

5. I celebrate the end of January and treat myself. Like many I will close the shop and take a break.

 

Thanks (1)
By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
17th Nov 2014 11:26

.

We have 135 filed

25 out for signature/awaiting payment

28 on the desk of in progress (it was our client deadline recently so had a lot in, I normally carry about 10)

46 to come in, over half of which are company director ones so pretty easy.

So about 70% down 30% to go with 2 and a bit months out of 10 seems about on track. 

 

 

 

Thanks (1)