TaxCalc alternative?

Cullumpster

Hi My b/f is a self employed plasterer and i've found out that he hasn't yet handed in his SA forms all he has is a big ile of recipts and invoices :eek:
I've told him that i'll help him with it but i shouldn't have as i haven't got a clue what to do, i've looked at the forms and i'm stumped :eek:

Can anyone help me pleeeze ?

Victor_Delta

One option is to pay an accountant or tax expert etc to sort it out for you. The other is to simply phone or visit your local Inland Revenue office and ask for their help and advice. I've always found them really helpful in this sort of situation in the past.

Perhaps if the second option doesn't work then you will need to consider the first? Unless you can find a knowledgeable friend who can help you.

Good luck!

PS Make sure your b/f gets a good book-keeper for the future. This will prevent the problem from recurring!

alanbd_2

After using Taxcalc for years, I tried the Inland Revenue's own on-line software and am kicking myself for not doing so years ago. It is simplicity in the extreme. Try it and see.

https://online.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/index.jsp

You will need to register.

Enjoy

Stephen66

I haven't used the IR's own solution (yet) but I doubt it would give you tips to reduce your bill? I think some of the third party solutions do/did. Can anyone comment which software is most helpful in this respect?

Heidi_2

First timer here and am going straight in with the stupid question they told me it was ok to ask!
If you don't get sent a self assessment form..... how does the IR know what savings etc you have (I mean money stuff not connected with your employer) Are you supposed to write to them and tell them (?!) or just sit and hope?

isasmurf

Savings are automatically deducted tax at the Basic Savings rate (20%) by law. This should cover what tax most people need to pay on their savings. If you are a higher rate taxpayer it is YOUR responsibility to inform the tax office you should be paying more tax on your savings (or any other income not taxed through your PAYE).

If you are not a taxpayer then it is your responsibility to register the account to receive interest tax-free, and if you are one of those rare breeds that are in the lower (10%) tax band, then you have no option but to pay 20% and claim some of it back at the end of the year.

Any financial institution classed as a 'deposit taker' (mainly Banks and Building Societies) by law must pass details about all your accounts to HMRC so the taxman will find out if you do not declare them.

nicklid

Bought Legatio 2005 software - had to abandon using it. Crashed computer and completely user unfriendly. Save your money! I ended up using https://www.digita.com FREE software and worked like a dream. Very user frendly and ability to print the calculations and review all parts of it and then save with digita. Submission to IR worked straight off first time.

LittleWoman_3

I'm an accountant and use the Inland Revenue free software for all my "straightforward" clients! Its very easy to easy to use. For very simple returns there is no reason why anyone can't do it themselves. (Interest, dividend & pension income especially).

I see my job as making sure the right boxes get filled in. :j The tax office have the odd thing they look for and there is the odd section which is not straight forward, but a lot of people don't require them. But for those who do, this is where I come in. The main areas I find for - say the self-employed that they get wrong, is Capital Allowances, and additionally they often either overclaim expenses or claim incorrectly. But then I pride myself in getting it right! (I only take on clients by recommendations from existing clients, so make sure I can cope with the work load, and provide the service both of us require. I have even been know to refuse work - as its wrong to let existing clients suffer just because I made the mistake of taking on a difficult one.)

I try to get my clients returns submitted by Dec 31. Any client ignoring me, gets charged extra :mad: . The main areas I still fill forms the old fashion way are for Capital Gains, Foreign, and Residence as they are not available from the IR.

The only thing is the tax office don't always follow up on things, especially the notes on the return! I recently wrote a letter asking why a transfer of allowances had not been included on a coding notice, which had been on another notice where it had originated from. Only to receive a call for all the information, which had been provided on the previous years tax return!

If your accountant is not giving the service you require, ask around and get a recommendation. If someone thinks their accountant is "worth their weight in gold" ( :rotfl: ) they tell you.

richgirl

Theres a online tax calculating tool at http://www.moneyforums.co.uk/uk_tax_calc.php

TLR_2

Does anyone know of any programs that will allow me to file for previous years/trust payments?

Thanks,

T