prospective employer asking for tax returns

tizerbelle

OP look at it the other way, if you don't provide the information they need/want to complete their screening then OH won't have a PAYE job. Which is worst? Releasing some information where the data in it will be controlled under the Data Protection Act or your OH not having a job?

SphagettiTree

Why can't these businesses expand on the referee system and ask for further references from say three easily searchable customers or professionals you worked with while operating as a sole trader or company owner? There are data protection laws and they exist with good reason.
I had a similar thing happen to me recently and I provided letters from HMRC and statements confirming I'd been self employed. I agreed to a credit check and CRB check. They still called back after the interview to ask why they couldn't find company records and I explained I'd been a sole trader, they asked 'A what?'. Given the interview had been for a business sales role this alarmed me as the HR lady I spoke to had previously worked as a business sales person. They are a FSA regulated company and hold a great deal of personal data and so they need to be cautious. However, they also wanted to know the exact date I registered for self assessment, this should be confidential, yet they were most insistent and clearly asked as they intended to act on this info. I was invited back for another interview however their lack of knowledge about their field and the fact that they resort to bullying to make a sale alarmed me. With sales roles they delve into business records to measure success, I do not believe it has anything to do with checking that you were working when you said you were as there are other ways of finding this out.

paddyrg

Whaaaa? His SA tax returns are absolutely not anybody's business but himself and HMRC. What if he has major savings/investments for instance? Or is claiming relief on a dodgy tax scheme for making a film? I would offer other evidence as appropriate, but personal tax records really are a step too far imho

bap98189

SphagettiTree wrote: »

Why can't these businesses expand on the referee system and ask for further references from say three easily searchable customers or professionals you worked with while operating as a sole trader or company owner?

Because it's hassle and will inevitably take far longer.

Mistral001

Is he applying to become spy? Even if he was I doubt if the Secret Service could make such demands.

It is generally accepted by everybody that people's tax returns are their own personal business and should under no circumstance be given to anybody other than your accountant who is acting for you as your agent for submitting to HMRC or HMRC ittself. There could be some very personal information on there about persions, number of dependants, investments etc. Even if there is little personal information on there it is still a very unreasonable request. The old adage of "if you have nothing to hide what is the problem?" is irrelevant, it is just a fundamental principle. Not even the prime minister has to produce his tax returns to anybody other than HMRC

Accounts, yes, tax returns no.

Uncertain

Mistral001 wrote: »

Accounts, yes, tax returns no.

If he is a sole trader then you could argue that his accounts are every bit as private as his tax return as, apart from personal savings, they will contain the same information.

Obviously if he was a limited company then the statutory accounts are available to anybody.

Mistral001

Uncertain wrote: »

If he is a sole trader then you could argue that his accounts are every bit as private as his tax return as, apart from personal savings, they will contain the same information.
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Accounts are often asked for by various people and organisations, such as banks when asking for an overdraft extension, or when applying for a mortgage. It is common to ask for accounts for the previous three years in those situatiions. Yes they are private but only private in that they only refer to monies concerning your trading. No information regarding personal circumstances as in a Tax Return. Apples and oranges.

colino

As the info in a tax return is so basic, all it will confirm is that he declared to the government he was in business for a particular period of time, doing a particular business, not anything to get excited about. (However the people who ask for such things tend not to be able to interpret them anyway).