'Fessing up

ceeforcat

Thought I would start a new thread on this rather than hijack someone else's.

Client (and his wife) inherited property 2005 - no returns - no notification etc etc - you get the picture. More annoyingly no UTR despite me telling them to register.

From my posts on here, I would hope that you will assume that I have no queries regarding the completion of the returns, penalties arising, interest etc.

Practicalities really - is it still sensible to fire off the returns to the local tax office, with no UTR remember, with all the details of the non compliance? Or send returns to the office relevant to each of thier employers (one is a civil servant - so miles away from home) with all of the problems in dealing with two offices.

Also, any thoughts regarding the wisdom of making a payment on account - i.e. sending a cheque to accompany the return?

It used to be so simple.

Pennywise

ceeforcat wrote: »

Thought I would start a new thread on this rather than hijack someone else's.

Client (and his wife) inherited property 2005 - no returns - no notification etc etc - you get the picture. More annoyingly no UTR despite me telling them to register.

From my posts on here, I would hope that you will assume that I have no queries regarding the completion of the returns, penalties arising, interest etc.

Practicalities really - is it still sensible to fire off the returns to the local tax office, with no UTR remember, with all the details of the non compliance? Or send returns to the office relevant to each of thier employers (one is a civil servant - so miles away from home) with all of the problems in dealing with two offices.

Also, any thoughts regarding the wisdom of making a payment on account - i.e. sending a cheque to accompany the return?

It used to be so simple.

What I've done in the past when this kind of thing happens is make a phone call to my local tax office and ask to speak to one of the inspectors then give them the rough details over the phone and ask for their advice. Not had need for it in the past couple of years so things may have changed, but the last time I did it, the local inspector "adopted" the case and I dealt directly with him as regards getting UTR numbers, then submitting paper returns direct to his office, and then negotiating penalties over the phone. All done and dusted remarkably quickly. Like I say, I don't know if this kind of "personal" attention is still possible under current SA working practices. I have done it just a few months ago for a Corporation Tax case where I managed to speak directly to a CT inspector in order to discuss adjustments to CT returns already submitted, and again, he asked me just to post the revised paperwork direct to his name/office address, and the revised assessments were made within the week. You just need to try to avoid the call centres and centralised post sorting offices - if you have a direct line to a local tax office, even if it's for the wrong person, then just call them and ask them for advice or to be put through to the right person in the same building - once you've escaped the call centres, I've found the tax office staff to be remarkably friendly and helpful - I get the impression they're just as fed up with the centralisation and call centres as are the taxpayers! So, my advice is not to even try to use the normal routes to deal with this (i.e. don't ask for UTRs from Longbenton and don't submit the returns to the usual addresses or online) - just try your utmost to speak to an SA inspector and ask them directly how to sort it out.

ceeforcat

Thanks pennywise - excellent as usual. Should say that I am 'ex- revenue' and , like you, have not had need for this for a few years. I do know a few local inspectors (always handy) and will take that route.

Thanks again.