DWP seem to demand business accounts unfairly

BigAunty

densol wrote: »

If its a limited company the certified accounts are available from companies house - NO consent is required.

But the OP is struggling to provide bank statements and details of sales (I assume invoices or similar) and not the company accounts which are in the public domain anyway.

I just wonder why the business relationship for joint directors is so unequal that one cannot access this kind of conventional information from the other, or why the personal relationship is so bad the other director is happy to see them suffer penury.

This is the kind of information that the HMRC routinely request when they perform compliance checks on those receiving working tax credits (plus they expect the claimant to account for their time to ensure they are meeting their weekly threshold for hours worked on the business).

Also, the local council will ask for greater detail than high level company accounts and tax returns from HB claimants, too, because some business expenses that can be claimed for tax purposes are excluded from HB claims.

I'm not really familiar with the type of information requested by the DWP for the purposes of Pension Credit but it doesn't seem that out of synch with what other benefit organisations seek? Or does it?

shegirl

Wow,how much have you been claiming in benefits for a business that has only made a small profit once in 20 years?! How many hours a week do you 'work'? I'd guess zilch.

Seriously,this has to be a wind up right? Even blinking hobby businesses wind up before you have, sounds like they probably make more money too!

20 years? LOL

densol_2

BigAunty wrote: »

But the OP is struggling to provide bank statements and details of sales (I assume invoices or similar) and not the company accounts which are in the public domain anyway.

I just wonder why the business relationship for joint directors is so unequal that one cannot access this kind of conventional information from the other, or why the personal relationship is so bad the other director is happy to see them suffer penury.

This is the kind of information that the HMRC routinely request when they perform compliance checks on those receiving working tax credits (plus they expect the claimant to account for their time to ensure they are meeting their weekly threshold for hours worked on the business).

Also, the local council will ask for greater detail than high level company accounts and tax returns from HB claimants, too, because some business expenses that can be claimed for tax purposes are excluded from HB claims.

I'm not really familiar with the type of information requested by the DWP for the purposes of Pension Credit but it doesn't seem that out of synch with what other benefit organisations seek? Or does it?

They are certified accounts by a chartered accountant that certifies money into the business - so effectively the same

I agree with Shegirl tho - its gotta be a wind up lol

anmarj

BigAunty wrote: »

I'm not really familiar with the type of information requested by the DWP for the purposes of Pension Credit but it doesn't seem that out of synch with what other benefit organisations seek? Or does it?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/446245/dmgch86.pdf

86064

should help:)

stevemLS

I can't understand how it could be thought unfair to be asked for evidence of income in support of a claim for a means tested benefit.

The cynical in me might think that the subject of the request is panicking at the thought of a 20 year old scam coming to an end, but that would not be right.

SlimmingSusan

On the back of this thread, could I ask something please?

I am still the Company Secretary for my ex husband's ltd company which was set up in 1987 when he first went contracting in IT.

I have asked him for company accounts, as I am a full time student, and I have joint lives maintenance with variation possibility at any time in place, due to our divorce order.

Even though I am clever in a way, as in continuing into third year and completing a degree, and will be graduating at 51, I am not wise in this area at all, or worldly wise either.

When I tried to get the accounts, even as secretary, they seem to be abbreviated accounts. I called his accountant, and they will not let me have a copy of accounts. I do sign them, he comes round and asks,I always look at directors renumeration figure, and it is high 70s, but have had so much on, he never gives me a copy like he promises. He just bought a 20k Merc cash. Weirdly, I was the first person he brought it round to show, and he let me drive it that day. There is no anger, we are friends, but I feel ignorant of this whole area, and he knows that.

I am waking up after a few years of depression and family issues and bereavement, and advice would be appreciated. Thanks

p00hsticks

SlimmingSusan wrote: »

On the back of this thread, could I ask something please?

I am still the Company Secretary for my ex husband's ltd company which was set up in 1987 when he first went contracting in IT.

I have asked him for company accounts, as I am a full time student, and I have joint lives maintenance with variation possibility at any time in place, due to our divorce order.

Even though I am clever in a way, as in continuing into third year and completing a degree, and will be graduating at 51, I am not wise in this area at all, or worldly wise either.

When I tried to get the accounts, even as secretary, they seem to be abbreviated accounts. I called his accountant, and they will not let me have a copy of accounts. I do sign them, he comes round and asks,I always look at directors renumeration figure, and it is high 70s, but have had so much on, he never gives me a copy like he promises. He just bought a 20k Merc cash. Weirdly, I was the first person he brought it round to show, and he let me drive it that day. There is no anger, we are friends, but I feel ignorant of this whole area, and he knows that.

I am waking up after a few years of depression and family issues and bereavement, and advice would be appreciated. Thanks

The role of company secretary has a number of serious obligations in terms of ensuring the company is correctly reporting to Companies House etc, , and if you're not comfortable in the position then I'd suggest that you say to your ex that you'd prefer not to do it any more.

Small companies only have to file basic accounts so what you are seeing may be all that is needed.

wiltsguy_2

it's nice to see that the DWP are closing in on these sham companies that are created on paper for the sole purpose of exploiting loop holes in the benefit system...:beer:

Housing_Benefit_Officer

wiltsguy wrote: »

it's nice to see that the DWP are closing in on these sham companies that are created on paper for the sole purpose of exploiting loop holes in the benefit system...:beer:

A blind eye was turned in the past as it removed people from being recorded unemployed.

System

If it has not been profitable for 20 years then I am surprised that HMRC haven't investigated the company.