I always refuse new requests in January by saying that I am not taking on any more work. Might be losing out but then why are they leaving it to the last minute when HMRC sends out notifications in April that a self assessment return is due and the deadline is the following January?
I had a subcontractor contact me with a view to dealing with his SA return (a few years ago). I prepared the return with the conclusion that he owed income tax. The client became quite abusive, saying that I had no idea about tax and that sub-contractors did NOT pay tax!!. Surprisingly he paid my estimate.
I refused to act further and he said he would get a friend to do it. A few days later I looked up his return on line and found a very high number of expenses claimed. I contacted HMRC and gave them the correct figures - and never heard another word.
For the 20/21 return I sent out an email pointing out that you get 9 months to complete and submit an SA return and most of us can produce a child in that time, all I am asking is that papers are sorted out. That lost me a few clients.
This year I sent out an email asking for all information by 15th November 2021 0therwise I could not promise to get the return completed in time - that worked for almost all.
I will need to think of something else for next year
Interestingly, I phoned the VAT office once asking for an explanation of "This is not a VAT invoice" and was told that if it showed the correct rate of VAT charged, the VAT number and date then it was a VAT invoice!!!
I recently went through this for a new client who exceeded the limit some time ago - not fun and quite a dreary job. Clients should not deal with their own VAT.
I wish I had seen this article a week ago when I registered a client for VAT because he had traded over the thresshold. I used the "old" gateway login and apart from the complications that arose from "saving" to ask more questions of the client, as Jason said it manages to lose any answers containing personal information. Finally I was asked to complete a VAT1R which required signatures from both myself and my client. That form stated that the practice would be held jointly responsible for VAT owing - fortunately I trust the client.
My answers
I always refuse new requests in January by saying that I am not taking on any more work. Might be losing out but then why are they leaving it to the last minute when HMRC sends out notifications in April that a self assessment return is due and the deadline is the following January?
What happens to all the expensive items bought from this kind of fraud - are they reclaimed and sold to reimburse those defrauded?
I had a subcontractor contact me with a view to dealing with his SA return (a few years ago). I prepared the return with the conclusion that he owed income tax. The client became quite abusive, saying that I had no idea about tax and that sub-contractors did NOT pay tax!!. Surprisingly he paid my estimate.
I refused to act further and he said he would get a friend to do it. A few days later I looked up his return on line and found a very high number of expenses claimed. I contacted HMRC and gave them the correct figures - and never heard another word.
For the 20/21 return I sent out an email pointing out that you get 9 months to complete and submit an SA return and most of us can produce a child in that time, all I am asking is that papers are sorted out. That lost me a few clients.
This year I sent out an email asking for all information by 15th November 2021 0therwise I could not promise to get the return completed in time - that worked for almost all.
I will need to think of something else for next year
Interestingly, I phoned the VAT office once asking for an explanation of "This is not a VAT invoice" and was told that if it showed the correct rate of VAT charged, the VAT number and date then it was a VAT invoice!!!
I recently went through this for a new client who exceeded the limit some time ago - not fun and quite a dreary job. Clients should not deal with their own VAT.
I wish I had seen this article a week ago when I registered a client for VAT because he had traded over the thresshold. I used the "old" gateway login and apart from the complications that arose from "saving" to ask more questions of the client, as Jason said it manages to lose any answers containing personal information. Finally I was asked to complete a VAT1R which required signatures from both myself and my client. That form stated that the practice would be held jointly responsible for VAT owing - fortunately I trust the client.
Perhaps we should start sending fee notes to HMRC and include the time wasted hanging on the telephone
and I thought it was only me! I obviously need to get out more.
... and you can add me to the list.