Removal From Self Assessment

Removal From Self Assessment

Didn't find your answer?

Having just read a posting from another correspondent (which I already new) confirming that the Working Together national mail-shots are now only going to be avaialbe on the Web, it is yet another reminder of the contradictory way in which HMCE treats us Agents and Taxpapyers.

It has long been an irritation to me that HMCE think that (despite encouraging us all to 'File On Line') it is good practice to remove folk out of SA when (as long as night follows day) there will be a significant under or over payment in future years.

As we file by FBI, removing clients means that (apart from filing unsolicited SA100's) we have no alternative (as HMRC don't usually give one) but to file a R40's. There's no benefit to us in doing so insofar as time is concerned. We then have to entrust the R40 to the dubious care of Royal Mail and the repapyment takes weeks instead of a few days to reach the client, assuming it's not lost.

We have in these instances (with the clients approval) requested reinstatement into SA.

The latest initiative by HMRC is to transfer out of SA and then tell you that the file is transfersed to a Claims Area and that R40's should be submitted in future. Whilst that might seem progress, on a recent conversation with HMRC they explained the reasons why.

1. One day there might be an electronic version of thge R40. (Will I live long enough to see it?).

2. It's all part of their commitment to remove from 1,000,000 Taxpayers the BURDEN of filing a Return.

Well excuse me! - If the Taxpayer has a reasonable repayment due to them, isn't filling in a R40 still a similar BURDEN, or even more of one?

Or if they still have an underpayment, can they forget about it? (There goes another flying pig).

So, the only 'winner' is the statisitical report saying how close HMRC are to the 1,000,000 target.

To add insult injury, I was told yesterday that if I sent to HMRC a list of clients with their UTR's they would consider ticking the box on their system saying 'Do not remove from SA' for each and everyone.

It might be worth considering, but if they give the job to my dear friends at Longbenton, it could take me the rest of my working life (which I hope is long) to recover the situation.

Keep calm Robert.........It's all part of them "Providing a Better Service".

Robert Clubb

Replies (3)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By AnonymousUser
07th Jul 2006 17:35

Ask to be transferred back to SA
I have been having problems with the P810 Procedure (Tax Review Form) for clients in employment who were taken out of SA. Some of the 2004-05 calculations haven't even been sent out yet, even though they were submitted 15 months ago. Some that were processed were full of errors which have been taking ages to correct, resulting in unnecessary fees. R40 claims take forever to process, resulting in further fees chasing for repayments.

I decided this year to keep my clients' compliance costs down and have suggested to these cases that it would be quicker, easier and cheaper to file on line (but pointed out the implications). I then called HMRC and asked for them to be put them back in SA quoting HMRC inefficiency and convenience as the reason. When I've done this the Call Centre Staff comments imply that they think it's a good idea as well. They seem sick of passing messages and reminders to the back office and these not being dealt with and fully understand why I might believe on-line SA filing to be a more straightforward and better option.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Robert Clubb
07th Jul 2006 16:42

My suggestion.............
Request to be reinstated within SA and get ther money back sooner. They shouldn't resist.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By neiltonks
07th Jul 2006 16:03

Hear hear!
I'm in this daft situation myself. Having for a couple of years had a relatively painless job of filling in the internet SA forms and waiting for a few days for a cash refund (my tax affairs are very straightforward), I now have to fill in a paper R40 which results in a tax code adjustment so my refund is spread over 12 months!

Neil.

Thanks (0)