Some people.

Some people.

Didn't find your answer?

I had an email from a prospect I had spoken to last summer. I had thought she had gone somewhere else. She contacted me this week asking me to do her tax return for 2015. I am busy but as I had previously spoken with her I thought her I would resend my proposal which I feel is more than reasonable for a sole trader such as her.

She can back to stating she would do the accounts herself and all she wanted me to do was tell her how to the capital allowances and provide her with tips on how to get her tax down, asking what my hourly rate was and how she couldn't see how it would be more than half an hours work.

I am trying to do a response without being rude, but struggling.

Does anyone else receive such cheeky requests.

Replies (12)

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By cheekychappy
12th Jan 2016 20:47

We all get them

Dear Idiot,

I would be happy to provide the services you require.

My quotation is as follows:

0.5 hours @ £900 per hour = £450

 

Best Wishes,

Mr Glennzy

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Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
12th Jan 2016 19:22

Ha ha
I'm too hassled to be worried about it just going to chase her.

Dear Doctor can you tell me how to do my operation which I wish to do myself however if I die I will hold you responsible.

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By Crouchy
12th Jan 2016 19:28

sadly, yes we do get such requests

for such we requests i normally point them in the direction of free guidance on the HMRC website and advise that if they cant understand this, then they probably shouldn't be completing the work themselves

 

trouble is clients or prospects have no idea of whats really involved with putting together an accurate set of accounts or a tax return and unless you can get them in to explain they never will

it doesnt help that some people are charging peanuts which only makes people who do it right look like overcharging money grabbers - there is a local chap near us now charging £50 (yes FIFTY) for annual accounts and a tax return - wont be qualified, wont be insured and wont have a clue, but hey he's good value

 

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By carnmores
12th Jan 2016 20:32

cheekychappy
Just say no , no need for anything else.

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Image is of a pin up style woman in a red dress with some of her skirt caught in the filing cabinet. She looks surprised.
By Monsoon
12th Jan 2016 21:59

I've had this before. A longstanding client paid good money to a business advisor who advised that she should be doing her own tax return! He said she should stop paying me to do the accounts and tax return and instead just get me to check it over and bill her for consultancy.

I told her that it would be cheaper for her to carry on as she was. She stayed.

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d
By puzzel
12th Jan 2016 22:59

@busacrun

and they probably have individual log in for their sole traders.

Had a client leave for cheaper fees, only to come back and ask me for their HMRC log in details, err no they are my log in details not yours. I suggest you go back to your new accountant to sort it out. Not to mention no professional clearance being requested.

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Replying to SXGuy:
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By Pelican
13th Jan 2016 10:40

I have had that before. 

I have had that before. 

Although I have had a client turn round to me and say that the accountant where they also worked offered to do his limited company accounts for free. Thankfully he said no as he had seen the mess they leaves behind. (late filing, also getting fined etc) 

I also had one where a client asked me to file a set of dormant accounts for his limited company. I had no idea he had started up a limited company. 

He said that he tried to do it but got stuck and that it would take me 10 minutes :-( 

Oh and he was filing them late 

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By Kelly1234
13th Jan 2016 11:38

Diplomatic approach

'Unfortunately, this is not a service we are able to offer as legally we are unable to provide advice to non-clients on how to complete their tax returns.  There is however, lots of useful information on HMRC's website - or give their self assessment helpline a call.'  I usually use that line, we have had a client's daughter call up because she was doing her husbands tax return and actually wanted me to sit on the phone telling her exactly what to put in every single box of the tax return.  We prepared and filed a tax return for someone one year then the next they said they would do it themselves but called up wanting me to talk them through how to do it.  I hate those 'oh just a quick question' - it might be quick for you to call up and ask the question but that doesn't mean it's quick for me to reply you absolute BLEEEEEP.

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By Andp
13th Jan 2016 12:10

just ignore her she is only a potential . Reply in February and warn her about £10 per day hmrc penalties!

 

 

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By refs8
13th Jan 2016 12:11

It is not a service we offer

I always use the line it is not a service we offer, our statutory obligations such as ML, administration and setting files. I also go on about our current workloads, and basically say no nicely. Just because they want cheap our reputation is too important too allow them to belittle. Don't you love January !

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PJ
By paulgrca.net
13th Jan 2016 16:50

Something along the lines of

''a but it has taken me 25 years to learn how to give advice in 1/2 hour'' you can have the 1/2 hour for free but would you care to make a contribution for the 25 years!

That usually stumps them.

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By Malcolm McFarlin
13th Jan 2016 18:11

MLR comes to the rescue

We often say that we cannot provide advice since it is contrary to the Money Laundering Regulations.  We would need to be formally instructed and receive a payment on account from you.

You'll probably never hear from her again.

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