Housing Benefit - Receipts or Accounts?

Nemo1966

Hi the a few weeks ago I was asked by the Housing Benefit Dept of my local Council for Receipts "OR" Accounts for my housing benefit renewal.

As usual I provided accounts that were prepared by a legitimate high street Chartered Accountants. However I got a letter today saying they wanted proof of bank charges, travel expenses etc etc

My question is:

Once I have supplied professional accounts, do I have to supply these items? If so what is the points of having accounts? The accounts are good enough for the Inland revenue.

thanks in advance

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Some of the expenses allowable by HMRC are not allowed under HB legislation. Sometimes audited accounts do not make clear the type of expenditure so receipts need to be seen to see if we can allow the expense or not.

You don't have to supply receipts if you don't want to but then your claim will be cancelled.

Nemo1966

So what business expenses are not allowed under HB legislation that are allowed by HMRC?

So what is the point of asking for/supply accounts?

Also what is the actual LAW on supplying accounts vs Receipts? Because as most people know councils ride roughshod over the law and do what they want.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/part/6/crossheading/selfemployed-earners/made

We have detailed guidance on how to treat self employed - everything is set down in legislation so we can't ride 'roughshod' over the law and do what we want.

We can demand as much evidence as we want to ensure your accounts are correct after all we are dishing out public money so we have to be satisfied the information we have is correct.

NYM

Nemo1966 wrote: »

So what business expenses are not allowed under HB legislation that are allowed by HMRC?

So what is the point of asking for/supply accounts?

Also what is the actual LAW on supplying accounts vs Receipts? Because as most people know councils ride roughshod over the law and do what they want.

Maybe because your Accounts reflect your business trading, not your personal circumstances. You might have income from sources other than through your business and this might affect your entitlement to HB..?

Maybe you should ask them..

Nemo1966

Last year, the borough asked for original receipts in date order OR accounts. The borough in question has a history of cocking my claim up (royally), so to ensure everything was done properly, I went to an accountant and paid them to sort it out for me so that there would be no errors on my part. I provided my accounts to the council, they asked some stupid questions about postage which I clarified and then they were then satisfied and processed my renewal.

This year, I got the same letter requesting original receipts in date order OR accounts. I went back to the same accountant, he compiled my accounts, I did my tax return and I forwarded the accounts to the council. Now they are asking for a breakdown and evidence of bank charges, use of premises, motor running expenses, printing and stationery. Basically, my accounts. I don't know why I bothered going to the trouble of paying an accountant if the council still want all of the receipts anyway?! I can't see anywhere in that link you provided that any of these items I have been asked to produce evidence of are not allowed. They can have the receipts... it's not a problem, it just feels like delaying tactics now though. My claim has been suspended for 2 months and i keep getting letters asking for more and more stupid things that were already set out in detail in my accounts, drawn up by a professional accountant. Exasperating.

Nemo1966

NYM wrote: »

Maybe because your Accounts reflect your business trading, not your personal circumstances. You might have income from sources other than through your business and this might affect your entitlement to HB..?

Maybe you should ask them..

Hi Nym

I had to complete a renewal form which was a detailed breakdown of exactly what money I have coming in and a detailed breakdown of my accounts. I filled in the forms AND sent my accounts. I understand that they want proof, that's fair enough, but why are my accounts good one year, but not the next? Letter from the same person in HB department. If accounts are worthless, I wouldn't have bothered spending money on them :cool:

Nemo1966

blondebubbles wrote: »

Just because it's in the accounts doesn't always mean it's right. HMRC could easily ask for the same information to prove the accounts are accurate.

My accounts were good enough last year....

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Nemo1966 wrote: »

Last year, the borough asked for original receipts in date order OR accounts. The borough in question has a history of cocking my claim up (royally), so to ensure everything was done properly, I went to an accountant and paid them to sort it out for me so that there would be no errors on my part. I provided my accounts to the council, they asked some stupid questions about postage which I clarified and then they were then satisfied and processed my renewal.

This year, I got the same letter requesting original receipts in date order OR accounts. I went back to the same accountant, he compiled my accounts, I did my tax return and I forwarded the accounts to the council. Now they are asking for a breakdown and evidence of bank charges, use of premises, motor running expenses, printing and stationery. Basically, my accounts. I don't know why I bothered going to the trouble of paying an accountant if the council still want all of the receipts anyway?! I can't see anywhere in that link you provided that any of these items I have been asked to produce evidence of are not allowed. They can have the receipts... it's not a problem, it just feels like delaying tactics now though. My claim has been suspended for 2 months and i keep getting letters asking for more and more stupid things that were already set out in detail in my accounts, drawn up by a professional accountant. Exasperating.

Simple. Stop whinging and don't bother to send in the information and have your claim cancelled. We can ask for what we want as evidence especially if certain expenses appear high or unreasonable.

Are your premises expenses for the property you live in and claim housing benefit for? Your vehicle is that just for business use or do you use it for private use as well? Mileage are you claiming 45p per mile travel or the cost of petrol?

Nemo1966

Sorry but idiot !!!!! who work for the council shouldn't be allowed to post on this forum. Your advice is biased and probably misleading.

Typical council answer - just shut up and do as you are told. That's why councils are trained to answer people who question them with non answers.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Nemo1966 wrote: »

Sorry but idiot !!!!! who work for the council shouldn't be allowed to post on this forum. Your advice is biased and probably misleading.

Typical council answer - just shut up and do as you are told. That's why councils are trained to answer people who question them with non answers.

Sorry, but it's people like you who shouldn't be allowed to post on these forums.

If you used the forum a little more, you would know that Housing Benefit Officer has given plenty of excellent advice and helped many people on this forum for quite a long time.

You are the idiot, not HBO.