Self assessment ?'s

PlutoinCapricorn

Although I am self employed, I have never claimed capital expenses. However, there are many experts out there and I am sure that one will reply soon. I think that even when you file online, HMRC send you a form with useful help for the various sections.

There is a thread in the Small Business/Charity section about whether it is best to use an accountant or do it yourself - I am sure that you have some views on this subject!

Lewie

I am sure that you have some views on this subject!

I do, yes.
My view was that it is best to use an accountant, however, my first accountant from many years ago tried to charge me for money I didn't owe, I had to take her to court but she was 'ill' at the time the case came up and the judge decided to drop the case on compassionate grounds!! What about me?
I have been using this latest accountant for many years but after doing my own on line last year I have decided that, although I thought he was good, he has missed too many things and now I find he hasn't added up my expenses correctly on my 06-07 accounts and has cost me money so I have lost faith and will continue to do my own and learn as I go along.

Elaine_Wilson

From the figures given to you by the tax office it looks as though you had a balance on the pool brought forward from 2006/07 of £2,500.

This will make the claim for 2007/08 £625 and the balance remaining to carry forward £1,875.

I'm not sure how you enter this into the online system but it looks as though you haven't got the balances entered yet.

Lewie

It's mad.
I have entered all sorts of figures, done it as main pool, single asset etc etc.
Brought forward £1,875 still no figures calculated.
I'll give them another call and wait some more.
As the phone lines are inundated I can safely say they haven't quite got it right, if it was just me, fair enough but it sounds like alot of folk are confused.
They need to ask a layman to oversee when they are writting things like this.
Thanks anyway.

Lewie

Well that was a waste of time!!
I decided to phone them again for 'help'
I was told there was no one free to talk to me.
They called me back three days later, they left a message telling me they had rang back but they wouldn't ring again, if I still wanted help I would have to ring them AGAIN, they would then ring me back, then....................:mad:
PATHETIC.
I'll just put what I think is the amount for me to claim and if it's wrong to hell with it.

Elaine_Wilson

Do document all these attempts to get help and keep a copy of this thread. This could be important if you get the figures wrong.

A new system of penalties came into force at the beginning of April. This sets maximum and minimum percentages in different circumstances. The only way to get a zero penalty is for innocent error. I can't remember the exact wording at the moment but if you do not take sufficient care then you could have to pay.

Ringing a help line, asking an accountant or, indeed, enquiring here will show you have sought advice. If the advice turns out to be wrong (or misunderstood) then the error can still be innocent.

Lewie

Hi again Elaine.
Yes, that sounds like a good idea, I had given it a thought when I heard the message telling me my call would be recorded.
I hope they keep them!
I don't think I have got anything wrong, I have claimed the remaining capital allowance for this year from my van, and I am going to forget last years, so, if anything, I should be the rgiht side of error.
I know it's a slim chance of being investigated but there's always that chance.
Cheers.