I have a client for whom HMRC have requested a personal return for the year to 5.4.19 and of course I only have 8 days left! The previous year should have been the last! Is there an easy online way?! Or, as the client's UK income for the year to 5.4.19 was nil, perhaps I can just submit a nil return (and perhaps also explain in one of the additional information boxes)?!
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Ask.
If HMRC don't see a need, they'll cross them off the list.
Might be a bit late for 2020 returns though. Only ten weeks left for HMRC to open their post .........
Write in the white space "please remove me from SA as all my income is NOW taxed at source/I have no taxable income".
I find this works....usually.
Surprised by that.
It suggests HMRC read the stuff in the white space as a matter of course.
Surely that can't be true.
Tis true - I've done it a couple of times recently.
Maybe I'm on HMRC's special "we should respond to this request" list.
I guess you maybe effectively agreeing with my updated detail which I posted after your reply (but I am not sure)?!
At this stage, if the client definitely has nothing to report, submitting a nil return will probably be the line of least resistance.
Work on preventing the issue of the 2020 return.
I find that you have to not tick( My software un-tick) two boxes on page 6 of SA100 under heading ''if you have not paid enough tax''
Boxes number 2 & 3
Then if a tax return not required HMRC will generally take the client if the list.
This is what we usually do and it works most of the time. Your software will either require you to tick or untick a box or two (ours we have to tick one) but on the actual return the boxes should appear unticked. HMRC will then remove the taxpayer from SA and collect all tax at source going forward.
Occasionally they don't and we have to call HMRC to get them to do it manually, but that doesn't happen often.
But only if its a bona fide commercial death which is not carried out with a view to avoiding tax.
Normally by filling in the prior years return with the source ceased.
Failing that i find a phone call is the quickest method. Less of a lottery than a letter which may or may not get acted on, and probably not for at least 10-12 weeks..
I had two cancelled last week using the agent helpline because the clients didn't fall into SA anymore. I received the letters today saying it had been actioned. One of these clients had rung HMRC twice himself and his return hadn't been cancelled. So agent helpline might be the way forward.
I have 'agreed' with the Agents Helpline to have eight small cases removed from SA but have only received the standard letter in two of the cases. So I have a diary note to double check the non-issue after 6.4.20. It will be embarrassing if Returns are issued as I assured the clients that it was 'game over'. Have others received
written confirmation always?
a quick phone call should do it.
we have an elderly client (85) he has £8500 state pension and £500 foreign dividends. HMRC repeatedly refuse to take him out of SA even though he has no tax liability & this is not going to change.
You mention the clients UK income for the year to 5/4/19 is nil, this indicates they may have foreign income.
- How much is their foreign income?
- Is the client still living in the UK and is a UK resident or do they qualify for Non Dom status?
Depending on the replies your client may still need to complete a return depending on the level of foreign income, even if their income is covered by Double Taxation agreements or they just need to submit a nil return in regards to Non Dom status and there is no tax due.
These are just a couple of points which came to mind.
Anyway, good luck with whatever needs done. Potentially phoning HMRC at this time of year is not a pleasant thought.
What's wrong with a 3 minute call to the agents hot line? I did it last week and the client's SAR requirement was cancelled