Many thanks for the replies. Just seriously bothered me that such detailed information should be requested when they have the UTR which if they input would bring up all the correct information, which tallies with the return. I am not happy that such detail is sent to a scanning postal centre and then what? What happens to the paperwork then?
I am happy to have my client send it to an address which can receive registered post, signed for and then returned, or for production to an office, but not some building somewhere, and who knows what goes on. I do not think unless they can guarantee safe return of the documentation, copies or not, that it should be demanded.
There are already too many bandits out there trying to get exactly this information without HMRC joining in to provide more to them.
I take it that you did not carry out the CIS reporting for this man and that it was he who screwed it up, perhaps deliberately, but it would certainly have been him who gave you the information. Unless you are requested to carry out an audit, and why would you, there is no way that you can second guess anyone else's actions. He is also responsible for his tax return and any figures which go into it and I take it that you did not file the return without him either signing the original or a Declaration in order that you could file the return. Therefore the onus is entirely on him as to whether the figures it contains are correct or not. If you prepared accounts, you would have obtained his signature approval for them before including them in the return, so a double approval by the client for the figures contained therein. Pass it to your insurer, include copies of the signed accounts and the signed tax return document and point out that you are not psychic! If the builder is of the usual calibre then he has just got caught and trying to pass the buck!
My answers
Many thanks for the replies. Just seriously bothered me that such detailed information should be requested when they have the UTR which if they input would bring up all the correct information, which tallies with the return. I am not happy that such detail is sent to a scanning postal centre and then what? What happens to the paperwork then?
I am happy to have my client send it to an address which can receive registered post, signed for and then returned, or for production to an office, but not some building somewhere, and who knows what goes on. I do not think unless they can guarantee safe return of the documentation, copies or not, that it should be demanded.
There are already too many bandits out there trying to get exactly this information without HMRC joining in to provide more to them.
I take it that you did not carry out the CIS reporting for this man and that it was he who screwed it up, perhaps deliberately, but it would certainly have been him who gave you the information. Unless you are requested to carry out an audit, and why would you, there is no way that you can second guess anyone else's actions. He is also responsible for his tax return and any figures which go into it and I take it that you did not file the return without him either signing the original or a Declaration in order that you could file the return. Therefore the onus is entirely on him as to whether the figures it contains are correct or not. If you prepared accounts, you would have obtained his signature approval for them before including them in the return, so a double approval by the client for the figures contained therein. Pass it to your insurer, include copies of the signed accounts and the signed tax return document and point out that you are not psychic! If the builder is of the usual calibre then he has just got caught and trying to pass the buck!