ONS surveys again, 7 day notice!

7 days notice

Didn't find your answer?

see my previous rant!

after their call a couple of weeks ago we received a letter giving us details of how to set up our online "harrassment" account. This was duly tucked at the bottom of the ever increasing pile (payroll year end, mtd looming, vat returns etc ). obviously with an online presence they can monitor if you're behaving yourself and doing what you're told.

Just got another call "notice you havent set up your online account yet" then basically threatened 7 days to do so and return the last 2 quarters assets survey, or it will be referred for formal action. Reckon she must be on commission?

cant believe we're the only ones getting this harrassment/threatening attitude, its worse than debt collectors. So much for doing the right thing over the past 3-5 years and duly filling them in.......under the impression that they will move on in due course.

I can only imagine a small business owner could be really worried and upset at such bullying tactics.

Replies (8)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
04th Apr 2019 11:16

meh, let you be referred.

Argue that you were following government guidelines and preparing for a no-deal brexit.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By paul.benny
04th Apr 2019 14:07

You’ve said here and in your other thread that you’ve got at least one overdue ONS return. I’m not surprised they’re threatening enforcement action.

I’m sure your lenders, your investors, your management want reports a few days after period end and you wouldn’t miss their reporting timetables by a large margin. Nor would you file your VAT or CT returns weeks late and expect not to receive penatlies.

Sorry – no sympathy here.

Thanks (0)
Replying to paul.benny:
avatar
By ohwhatnow
04th Apr 2019 14:37

ouch.

As explained I DIDN'T mind doing this for a while (as we were always supposed to believe it was for a limited time span)- I do mind being continuously on their suckers list!
I am in the real world, in a one person accounts dept - at the moment trying to juggle the businesses own work and also everything that any official pen pusher demands. Perhaps you ought to consider us lesser mortals and independent business owners (without an army of accounting staff etc) with a bit more consideration?
Judging by what I hear from professional accountants, both on here and known personally, most have chosen to throw them in the bin anyway - and have probably got away with it so far but maybe not for much longer.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By paul.benny
04th Apr 2019 15:39

I do have sympathy with you being the entire finance function and having to meet all of the many obligations alone. I don’t know how the ONS select or deselect respondents – maybe that’s a question you should ask directly. They do have a "Respondent Charter for Business Surveys".

As for accountants who bin ONS requests… "professional" isn’t a word I would use to describe that behaviour.

Thanks (0)
Routemaster image
By tom123
04th Apr 2019 15:49

What is the online account?

I still get the forms with the red boxes to fill in?

I make informed estimates where required, and try to keep last year's to hand.

Thanks (0)
Replying to tom123:
avatar
By ohwhatnow
04th Apr 2019 16:34

looks like only some of the surveys are done online, they send you a letter to register on the website telling you there is a survey to complete. It seems that different depts are responsible for their own surveys so it depends whether they've got their act together yet - but assume it will all go online at some stage.
currently I've got the ONS assets survey, TPR re-enrolment stuff, HMRC ecsl, PAYE yearend, MTD info,VOA request for rent/lease info for rateable value ......and it goes on......ho-humm.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Matrix
04th Apr 2019 16:33

The 7 day turnaround is a bit tight but my client’s recordkeeping has improved since she has to phone in turnover monthly for 15 months. I have to give her the figure though.

No idea how this business was chosen, I think it has to be the nearest £10,000 and it has never even been £10k.

Thanks (0)
Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
04th Apr 2019 16:45

I had to do the Gender Pay Gap report for one of my clients this week.

A day of my life I will never get back. Who cares about the m/f split in the upper middle quartile.

The figures it produces are deeply floored, and you are expected to show the results on your website. Who goes onto a business website and looks at the outcome of its gender pay gap report.

Thanks (0)