The RTI system, like so many modern computer systems, shows all the signs of having been designed by technical people, with a bias to HMRC/DWP "requirements", rather than people who really understand the real, down to earth world that has to operate it.
Would it really have been that bad to have one, comprehensive submission each month, due before 19th and reporting to the previous 5th, i.e. to line up with payment deadline. This would give payroll operators time to resolve issues, do away with the ridiculous: submit FPS(s), submit CIS return and, oh, do we need to do an EPS as well?, and still give much more up to date information.
The explanation for the error is obviously incomplete and therefore the scale may be underestimated. One of our clients received the letter whne he was over £300 in credit. The last payment he made was on 3 August 2011, which was a second payment on account that proved to be more than adequate to cover all January liabilities.
The Agents' Helpline claimed not even know the criteria for sending these letters and could not issue an apolgy to the client.
As with other responders the client's initial reaction was that we may have advised him wrongly that he had no payment to make in January.
We too suffer from other accountants not enclosing authority from the client to release information. Although the sample is thankfully small the problem seems almost universal. We once had a case where a member of the client's staff authorised another accountant to approach us. This was without the knowledge, and against the wishes of the client. Where would we have stood if we had responded to this?
My answers
Yet another example of outsourcing/privatisation being used as an alternative for inadequate internal management.
RTI
The RTI system, like so many modern computer systems, shows all the signs of having been designed by technical people, with a bias to HMRC/DWP "requirements", rather than people who really understand the real, down to earth world that has to operate it.
Would it really have been that bad to have one, comprehensive submission each month, due before 19th and reporting to the previous 5th, i.e. to line up with payment deadline. This would give payroll operators time to resolve issues, do away with the ridiculous: submit FPS(s), submit CIS return and, oh, do we need to do an EPS as well?, and still give much more up to date information.
Incomplete explanation.
The explanation for the error is obviously incomplete and therefore the scale may be underestimated. One of our clients received the letter whne he was over £300 in credit. The last payment he made was on 3 August 2011, which was a second payment on account that proved to be more than adequate to cover all January liabilities.
The Agents' Helpline claimed not even know the criteria for sending these letters and could not issue an apolgy to the client.
As with other responders the client's initial reaction was that we may have advised him wrongly that he had no payment to make in January.
Authority from (ex) clients
We too suffer from other accountants not enclosing authority from the client to release information. Although the sample is thankfully small the problem seems almost universal. We once had a case where a member of the client's staff authorised another accountant to approach us. This was without the knowledge, and against the wishes of the client. Where would we have stood if we had responded to this?