Should I use an accountant?

Cubana48

Hi everyone

I worked for a company during tax year 2012-2013 for 10 month of the year, took a month off, then became self employed for a month in March 2012. The company automatically deducted tax, as did my CIS contractor for the remaining 1 month of 20%. So I've certainly already paid my tax

During that 10 months for the company I earned probably that month I earned £13000 net, and for the remaining month £800 net under the CIS contractor.

Expenses were probably only train fares of £100, and a bicycle of £150 for that month. Possibly some other things of a few hundred I don't realise I can claim for.

I am familiar with self assessment online and would have no problems filling things in, but understanding what I can claim for, and how to calculate tax are another thing.

Certainly for 2013-2014 I will use an accountant a I have a lot more invoices and expenses.

Is it worth me paying £100-200 for an accountant to complete the form given such a short period of time.

Will I make that money back in savings off my tax bill. Certainly I will be due a rebate from income tax.

Obviously I don't have much time left, but I do have an accountant in mind. The ones I've spoken to so far seem to be unhelpful in suggesting one way or another.

Thanks

chrismac1

As long as you can put the £200 of CIS deduction into the correct box on the tax return, you should not have too many problems DIY in my view. Worst case scenario is you make a bit of a mess of it, your accountant has until 31 Jan 15 to re-submit on your behalf.

In these cases I am very clear with people. I offer to review your 2012-13 tax return for free (5 minute job and I don't charge for 5 minute jobs.) Then if there is to be a re-submission because you could have claimed more of a refund, any fees are Success Fee basis so you can be sure the refund is greater than the fee.

The tricky ones are where a re-submission is needed because you messed up and claimed too much back. In these cases you get a fixed price quote which is just a price, clearly not a Success Fee one. Then you decide whether to go for that or attempt a DIY re-submission.