Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Another thing which may help FreeAgent users, you can link the tax timeline to your Google/iCal/Outlook calendars. See here.
Only thing I would warn with the tax timeline generally, is it's just a list of deadlines, not a clickable to do list. This means:
1) if you/your accountant pay/submit something nice and early, it'll still sit on that timeline until the deadline passes (sometimes causing unnecessary last minute panics).
2) if you/your accountant forget to do something and the deadline passes, it'll disappear from the timeline despite not being done.
Just a question about what is good practice for accountants.
I received an email from my accountants in Oct 2018 around six months prior to the deadline in April 2019.
I was busy that time and it was from an operative I didn't know so I didn't even notice the email in amongst the many others in my inbox.
They did not seek to obtain a confirmation that I had received or read their letter.
They did not send any further correspondence or reminders.
They have now contacted me saying I owe HMRC the tax plus interest.
I asked why interest and they said because the payment is late.
They have full access to my bank transactions but more importantly did not even know if I was aware of what tax I needed to pay at what time.
When I asked them about this they explained it is the company policy not to obtain confirmation on any correspondence to save time.
Is this good/best practice for an accountant?
I am, as most contractors, a one man band and I have made it clear I rely on my accountants to keep me straight with HMRC so I can focus on fee earning and developing/maintaining my freelance work.
Would be interested to have your views on this..
Cheers
Shop around for a new accountant who offers the level of service you want. No point dwelling on what's already happened.
Comment