Strikes me a lot of the small self employed folk work directly for Joe Public, add 20% to everything and that’s a sizeable bite added to the cost of living.
Last year near the end of April I was diagnosed with cancer - it was totally shocking and debilitating as I had absolutely no idea and didn't feel in the least bit poorly beforehand.
I managed to get my VAT return done before the deadline (totally on autopilot and hiding from the diagnosis) but paid the wrong amount from the return (the input tax amount- a few quid less than the actual amount). Had the hard letter saying I was in breach dah di dah (payment now by DD)
So I can totally understand how the payment part was missed - the hurdle always seems to be the filing not the payment and, until it happens to you, you honestly have absolutely no idea how dreadful it is. And mine wasn't (hopefully isn't) terminal.
Like others I am disgusted by the HMRC taking this line.
My problem is that what I say I have filed and what debt collection maintain was filed, are completely different (5k's worth) and they can't tell me what they think I filed, so I can't revise it and they keep chasing for the non existent debt that I couldn't possibly have told them was due in the first place....
I'm pleased about the delay it does mean a bit more time to try and train the recalcitrant clients but I've come to the conclusion that it will be safer to submit incorrect returns than no returns at all.
And surely that reduces the whole point of the system to a bit of a mockery, but what else can we do?
I was told my annual scheme was being ended - but I have never had an annual scheme and I have always paid quarterly, a few days later I was told I owed PAYE for the first month and the last quarter of last year, one of which was not due and the other of which were paid! So, not quite the marvel they were expecting!
My answers
Strikes me a lot of the small self employed folk work directly for Joe Public, add 20% to everything and that’s a sizeable bite added to the cost of living.
the man had a brain tumour for goodness sake
Completely agree!
sudden serious illness
Last year near the end of April I was diagnosed with cancer - it was totally shocking and debilitating as I had absolutely no idea and didn't feel in the least bit poorly beforehand.
I managed to get my VAT return done before the deadline (totally on autopilot and hiding from the diagnosis) but paid the wrong amount from the return (the input tax amount- a few quid less than the actual amount). Had the hard letter saying I was in breach dah di dah (payment now by DD)
So I can totally understand how the payment part was missed - the hurdle always seems to be the filing not the payment and, until it happens to you, you honestly have absolutely no idea how dreadful it is. And mine wasn't (hopefully isn't) terminal.
Like others I am disgusted by the HMRC taking this line.
Pippa
My problem is that what I say I have filed and what debt collection maintain was filed, are completely different (5k's worth) and they can't tell me what they think I filed, so I can't revise it and they keep chasing for the non existent debt that I couldn't possibly have told them was due in the first place....
wrong returns better than no returns
I'm pleased about the delay it does mean a bit more time to try and train the recalcitrant clients but I've come to the conclusion that it will be safer to submit incorrect returns than no returns at all.
And surely that reduces the whole point of the system to a bit of a mockery, but what else can we do?
annual scheme
I was told my annual scheme was being ended - but I have never had an annual scheme and I have always paid quarterly, a few days later I was told I owed PAYE for the first month and the last quarter of last year, one of which was not due and the other of which were paid! So, not quite the marvel they were expecting!
it is true in some cases - seen it with my own eyes!
replies to Dan
Thanks chaps,
Needed a giggle!
Thanks Dan - you are right about the acronyms, too many of them around in our business.