Urgent tax advice needed

geranium5

Hi everyone

Probably a common one, but I had thought I'd be OK to complete my own return this year and yes, I left it until now to get around to it as I've been so busy at a new job.

I've had a crack at it, and something has now come up that's made me realise it's going to be a lot more complicated than I thought, and I need some specific advice on something that I am not at all confident to approach on my own - and I really need some confidential guidance from someone who knows their stuff. Appreciate this will have to now be in the new year, but I just want to know if it's likely to be difficult finding anyone at this stage.

I don't necessarily need someone to complete the whole return for me, but just to address a concern.

Will it still be possible for me to find a tax adviser this side of the tax year (please no sarcastic replies as I'm a newbie suffering from quite severe anxiety about this.)

Where is the best place to look?

Merry Christmas!

CLAPTON

geranium5 wrote: »

Hi everyone

Probably a common one, but I had thought I'd be OK to complete my own return this year and yes, I left it until now to get around to it as I've been so busy at a new job.

I've had a crack at it, and something has now come up that's made me realise it's going to be a lot more complicated than I thought, and I need some specific advice on something that I am not at all confident to approach on my own - and I really need some confidential guidance from someone who knows their stuff. Appreciate this will have to now be in the new year, but I just want to know if it's likely to be difficult finding anyone at this stage.

I don't necessarily need someone to complete the whole return for me, but just to address a concern.

Will it still be possible for me to find a tax adviser this side of the tax year (please no sarcastic replies as I'm a newbie suffering from quite severe anxiety about this.)

Where is the best place to look?

Merry Christmas!

nobody knows your name on this board

why not give a few clues? overseas earnings, 'forgotten' earning from previous years, capital gains?, swiss bank accounts?

geranium5

I've asked everyone I know who's used such a service in the past if they can recommend someone, and all of them have said they had problems!

Sorry to appear not to have "made an effort" but I was hoping to go on personal recommendations, and failing that, get some pointers on where I might best want to look next.

xylophone

Could you indicate the area of concern - somebody on the forum might provide some pointers/alleviate your anxiety.

geranium5

thanks xylophone. tbh I don't think I want to, having now seen the tone of some of the replies and the way that threads tend to go on here. I'd rather speak to an expert who can give constructive advice, so will probably have to do as others have suggested and spend my xmas break researching this. Not a dig at you at all.

Have a nice xmas.

CLAPTON

geranium5 wrote: »

thanks xylophone. tbh I don't think I want to, having now seen the tone of some of the replies and the way that threads tend to go on here. I'd rather speak to an expert who can give constructive advice, so will probably have to do as others have suggested and spend my xmas break researching this. Not a dig at you at all.

Have a nice xmas.

oh dear

and have a happy christmas too

patanne

I just want to see if I can allay any of your anxiety about posting on here. Some parts of this website can be a little sarcastic (or worse) at times. But if you look back through threads on this particular section then I think you will find that any less than polite & helpful answers are reserved for those who are asking how to lie and AVOID paying tax. We all want to pay as little tax as we can, but legally & that is what those posting on here will help you to do. So please reconsider. If this is worrying you then better to come back and see if someone can help - even if you get a new username.

chrismac1

At this time of year, in my view there are broadly 2 groups of accountants taking on clients:

1. Those who are short of them, and
2. Those who are very well organised and have the majority of their client base very well organised.

5 years ago I was in the first group, now I am in the second group. This means I can afford to be pretty choosy about which people I take on as new clients, so in the past week I have given some high quotes to 2 potential clients who were unable to convince me on the phone that they'd been keeping proper accounting records, possible "brown paper bag" jobs.

Wherever you, or anyone else in a similar position, lives, you'll find the same situation applies. You may in the end sign up with someone who is just not very good, unless you can do one of two things:

1. Identify someone who is short of clients but nonetheless - perhaps they set up recently, for example, OK with taking on "deadline chasers" in January.

2. Find someone who is not short of clients but you can convince him or her you are going to be a good client for them.

If you are going to succeed in the second category in my view you will need to be full and frank in what you say, explain the records you've been keeping and any tricky aspects. Anyone who can't do that at this time of year when I meet them or speak on the phone to them does not become a client, end of story.

Savvy_Sue

If it helps, I have at this time of year been able to make a January appointment to speak to an accountant about tax issues potentially arising from wills and probate, so notwithstanding what chrismac says, you may find someone to whom you can talk about your specific issue if you want to press on with doing the return yourself.

However I'd also second what patanne said: there's little sympathy for those who aren't honest, and not always a lot for those who apparently can't read or use google. but even though I've had to ask some fairly daft questions on this board, I've always felt I had a fair answer.

jimmo

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If it helps, I have at this time of year been able to make a January appointment to speak to an accountant about tax issues potentially arising from wills and probate, so notwithstanding what chrismac says, you may find someone to whom you can talk about your specific issue if you want to press on with doing the return yourself.

However I'd also second what patanne said: there's little sympathy for those who aren't honest, and not always a lot for those who apparently can't read or use google. but even though I've had to ask some fairly daft questions on this board, I've always felt I had a fair answer.

Maybe playing devil’s advocate a little bit but you seem to be trying to encourage someone else to use this forum but doing the exact opposite yourself.
In this case we haven’t got a clue what the OP’s problem is so can’t really offer any advice.
In yours we at least know its about wills and probate and my gut instinct says, even on tax issues, you’d be better advised talking to a STEP solicitor than an accountant.
Alternatively you could always ask on here. Someone might be able to help.

Savvy_Sue

I should perhaps have made it clear that this was contacting a firm of accountants at this time of year a few years ago! rather than a current issue.