How do you get a client out of self assessment?

How do you get a client out of self assessment apart from telephoning HMRC?

Didn't find your answer?

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)?!

Replies (21)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

RLI
By lionofludesch
23rd Jan 2020 15:23

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 .........

Thanks (1)
the sea otter
By memyself-eye
23rd Jan 2020 15:23

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.

Thanks (1)
Replying to memyself-eye:
RLI
By lionofludesch
23rd Jan 2020 15:24

Surprised by that.

It suggests HMRC read the stuff in the white space as a matter of course.

Surely that can't be true.

Thanks (2)
Replying to lionofludesch:
the sea otter
By memyself-eye
24th Jan 2020 14:20

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.

Thanks (0)
Replying to memyself-eye:
avatar
By [email protected]
23rd Jan 2020 16:22

I guess you maybe effectively agreeing with my updated detail which I posted after your reply (but I am not sure)?!

"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)?!"

Thanks (0)
Replying to [email protected]:
RLI
By lionofludesch
23rd Jan 2020 16:50

martintaylor_fcca-AT-btinternet.com wrote:

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.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By CJaneH
23rd Jan 2020 15:24

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.

Thanks (2)
Replying to CJaneH:
avatar
By Joe Alderson
24th Jan 2020 09:42

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.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By bettybobbymeggie
23rd Jan 2020 15:27

I make a list and when I have five I get them all with one call. Quicker than writing.

Thanks (1)
paddle steamer
By DJKL
23rd Jan 2020 15:34

Maybe death is the easiest route.

Thanks (5)
Replying to DJKL:
avatar
By chicken farmer
23rd Jan 2020 17:23

But only if its a bona fide commercial death which is not carried out with a view to avoiding tax.

Thanks (0)
Replying to chicken farmer:
Psycho
By Wilson Philips
24th Jan 2020 09:46

I wonder how many deaths ought to have been given a DOTAS number ;-)

Thanks (0)
Replying to Wilson Philips:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
24th Jan 2020 15:33

Certainly Hotblack Desiato's

Thanks (0)
By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
23rd Jan 2020 15:47

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..

Thanks (1)
avatar
By lesley.barnes
23rd Jan 2020 16:43

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.

Thanks (1)
avatar
By RichPort
23rd Jan 2020 17:43

Had one today cancelled by calling the Agent Helpline - good luck!

Thanks (0)
Replying to RichPort:
avatar
By John Stone
24th Jan 2020 09:05

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?

Thanks (0)
By K81
24th Jan 2020 08:48

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.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By graemeban123
24th Jan 2020 08:54

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.

Thanks (0)
Replying to graemeban123:
avatar
By graemeban123
24th Jan 2020 09:33

Or a pleasant thought at anytime I guess.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By bernard michael
24th Jan 2020 14:06

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

Thanks (0)