Hypno's kick up the backside debt diary....

Seaxwyn

Hypno, how did you find the accountant? I have used two in the past but neither has been particularly helpful - they just used figures I gave them and didn't make any suggestions. So I'd be interested to know how one goes about looking for a proactive and self-employed-friendly accountant.

Sounds a very positive move - I can't wait to read the get organised book too!

The_Dragon

taxi73 wrote: »

Hi hypno...and all...accupuncture..that sounds interesting....good luck with the mb and bingo .....isn't it amazing what we used to throw away but don't now?....it's amazing how many times I have enough leftovers for the next days tea!!!...I try not to waste anything at all now...
My DH bought one of those £14.99 tens machines at the chemist...it's that small you wouldn't think it would do anything but I used it on my back last week and it improved it no end!!!..we usually go to physio at £35 a throw and this does as good a job as the physios big machine....DH has used it a few times and loves it.Maybe worth a try as it does it in 15 mins...

I was lent a TENS machine by the Pain Clinic I attend and it made the pain WORSE!!!!!!!!!! I appear to be one of the 0.001% of the population who is wired wrongly for pain! medication can increase the pain as well (oh and I can metabolise morphine in about 5 mins!)

hypno06

I am sooooo scared!! I just hope I can get together enough information to make it look as though I am not a hopeless case!!

This particular lady was recommended to me by a friend who is also self employed. The accountant worked for one of the big local firms until about a year ago and then left to work for herself so she also has the benefit of knowing what it is like to be newly self employed herself!

Hopefully it will be worth the money I will undoubtedly have to pay - I need to get the balance right between paying as little tax as possible, and making my books look profitable so I can move house and get a new mortgage in due course!!

Off to battle the spreadsheets and receipts!!:eek:

elantan

morning everyone ..dragon looks like you just dont get much luck with the pain relief at all does anything help? how are you by the way ?....

hypno cant even help you with accountants sorry i have heard there's good and bad but that's it ...anyway i'm just up out of my bed (lazy mare) so need to make an effort today ..take care and catch you up later

Seaxwyn

Hi Hypno
don't worry about the accountant visit - just think of all the questions you need to ask and write them down so nothing gets forgotten.

I'm sure you won't look like a hopeless case - though they might raise eyebrows at all your gambling receipts!

A friend who used to be an accountant told me it's not unusual to be given a shoebox full of receipts all jumbled up together. Which made me feel better about my accounts which are kept in an old school exercise book.

hypno06

Well, mine are sort of sorted - monthly plastic wallets that receipts go into, all my business bank statements are available, and I write in my client diary how much I have charged each day, so even when I have spent my takings before they got to the bank I have been able to write up a true picture of my income.

I do think there are more receipts lurking though - I still have several "piles" requiring the organisation-factor and I suspect they will reveal more deductables!!

I have, to date, though made no allowances for anything other than my milage - so electric, heating, water, phone etc etc I need guidance on what proportion I can claim etc.

My friend who recommended her is uber-professional though, so I am a little worried I will look woefully pathetic in comparison!!

Seaxwyn

I asked for advice on the Tax board here about what proportion of home costs to claim, and got some useful information - see http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=420104

Karmacat

Hi hypno, hi all

I'll be having a look at that post myself, Seaxwyn, thanks.

Hypno, some accountants can be really good. I've used the same firm for several years, most self employed counsellors and therapists in this area end up with them - so if this one doesn't work out, it could be worth checking with the local branch of your professional organisation (or BACP, or UKCP). The accountant I worked with died a few years ago, she had cystic fibrosis, and I was put on to a ... technician.... of some sort, not fully qualified I don't think. But it was her who suggested that my English loan for my French property should be kept, and not paid off from savings - because its tax deductible, and the [EMAIL="bl@sted"]bl@sted[/EMAIL] property makes a loss, the loan is currently a great little tax loss. I'll pay it off when I ever have the money again, of course, but when your affairs are complex (as yours and mine definitely are, lol), thats the sort of unexpected thing an accountant can do for you.

Hope the meeting is going well.

hypno06

Thanks Seaxwyn for that link - it looks really good and I will be reading it again to try and work out my costs before the accountant comes - at least to make me look semi intelligent about my circumstances!!

KC, I am hoping that she will find all sorts of loopholes for me! I am not seeing her until tomorrow lunchtime, but I will let you know! Hope things are ok for you at the min?

madmoney_2

hi hypno, all the best for ur appointment with the accountant tomorrow! im sure it will be an enlightening experience!!!

mm