BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 04:52 AM

Ah but M'Unlearned friend. Opportunity from adversity. Think of the volvo spare parts you can buy with the interest you received by hanging on.

Don't mention arguing accountants. The last time I had two arguing, it coincided with a tax tribunal. I turned up good as gold, and as I was ushered in, I realised neither of the buggers had turned up........

Interestingly, the chairman sympathised and adjourned it. Six months later, I got a letter from IR saying they agree after all with our return..........

Mind you, turning up without help and grovelling for an adjournment is a bit of a risky strategy, so don't try this at home children.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 09:12 AM

< From: Van - PM
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 05:05 AM>>

"If she owes no tax she cannot be fined. (ex Tax Inspector) The penalty is limited to the amount of tax owed."

hi Van

That is what we thought but I quote here what the letter said.

"" My calculation based on your tax return shows you have overpaid tax of £770.40.

I received your paper Tax Return after the 31 October deadline so you will be liable to a penalty of £100 in February............""

Could this be a mistake???

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 06:29 AM

Ah, fluids, I had been arguing with two accountants and they with each other since last February...

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Van
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 05:05 AM

If she owes no tax she cannot be fined. (ex Tax Inspector) The penalty is limited to the amount of tax owed.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 06:15 AM

Hi

For some reason I was informed that I had to file a self assment this year after having been retired for several years with no change in situation.
I just forgot about it !! Then earlier last month I received a letter to tell me that I had until the end of January to file my claim on-line.

I have been struggling with my computers so I did mine on paper but obviously it was sent it in late.
My pension is taxed at source so I don't believe that I owe anything. My accountant tells me that I shouldn't be fined for late application as I don't owe them anything.

On the other hand my wife who never fills in a form also received a request to fill one in on-line having never received any forms etc.

Again due to our computer woes she filled in a blank form that I had. In just over a week she has received a letter from the tax office saying that they owe her just under £700 but she will be fined £100 for late application.

I have had no reply to mine though I sent in it days before my wife's.

Looks like they give priority to paying out rather then paying in !!!!?????

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 04:45 AM

Finally went in last October. Not before a bit of arguing with the accountant though.

I suppose I could take a leaf out the book of M'Unlearned friend and get it in seven hours before the deadline. Although the interest you get for waiting is not as much as it used to be...

Their new computer system does give cause for concern, although getting out of their administrative fix by ignoring overdues under £500.00 might inadvertently help a large number of small businesses?

Just trying to see opportunity in incompetence.......

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 01:33 AM

I was about 7 hours before the deadline and went straight over to the post office and paid the requisite amount.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Stu
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 07:14 AM

Well, I did mine way back in May . . . but that's because I can't stand not knowing what I've got to pay until the last minute, and can make sure I've got the money put away.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 06:40 AM

"Our taxes are taken out of our pay and we don't file. We probably pay more than we should"

It could be worth using the HMRC on line service to see if you are paying too much tax, even if you are not required to submit a tax return. You can always delete the figures afterwards. The tax calculation facility is very useful.

The important thing is to check your PAYE code number, because this determines the amount of tax deducted from your salary.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 06:02 AM

well on the face of it - they're quite simple. however they contain traps for the unwary. The worse thing you can do is put your head above the parapet and enter into a correspondence. There are some really nice guys as tax inspectors - really helpful. there are others who are like a speak your weight machine - you know, restricted vocabulary and determined to get you off their desk before the next client - whatever the cost, to you.

You're always better off with an accountant - someone who can read the seaweed. Its money well spent.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 05:51 AM

I did mine on paper. I'm not normally paranoid, but no way is there going to be anything going backwards/forwards between my computer and the government.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 05:00 AM

WaaaaYYYY ................filed mine with nearly an hour left!! Talk about running it close to the wire.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 04:03 AM

When I did them in 20 minutes, there was no software or professional help, and I've managed to avoid being self-employed all my life, though my wife has done it. I remember my mother seeming to spend several months on my sister's returns, but that could have been because my sister (at that time anyway) was completely disorganised and my mother was at the opposite extreme.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 03:52 AM

Our taxes are taken out of our pay and we don't file. We probably pay more than we should. But then we didn't mind paying taxes when the money went to good social services. Since this is changing, maybe we will start filing a return.

I don't like supporting bank bail outs while people can't get the social care they need.

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return! (UK)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 02:16 AM

Are UK tax returns simple enough that you can do them in reasonable time and without software or professional assistance? US returns are quite complicated, especially since my wife is self-employed - and most of us also have to file state returns. Both returns are due April 15.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return!
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 07:23 PM

I used to take about 20 minutes to fill in my tax return. Then they simplified it so that it started to take several days. Haven't had to fill in a personal tax return for several years - just do the Gift Aid claim for my local church which has just been simplified......

Subject: RE: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return!
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 04:45 PM

Absolute arseholes....!

I have earned sod all this year, having spent the entire year either looking after an invalid wife, or being ill myself.

About two weeks ago, they wrote to me saying I was still required to fill in a tax return - despite the fact they hadn't sent me the big form this year.

Luckily we have an accountant in the family who sorted it out for me - but some people might not be so fortunate and be too infirm or aged to rise to the challenge of putting in a set of figures in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

And amyway what the hell are they doing bothering me - they have 'investigated' me fully several years ago - they know (whatever Richard Bridge thinks) I've been a folksinger and earned sod all.

Why don't they go and bother someone who's got some money.

Subject: BS: 2 hrs 32 mins to file your tax return!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 04:29 PM

Who's going for the late filing penalty??