Accountant seems to have stolen £15k+ Don't know what to do

Kayalana99

I might be wrong but I'm sure I've heard before of people paying the accountant for him to then pay the tax bill.

Pennywise

Don't get stressed and start panicking. Are you sure it's the same tax year being talked about? Perhaps it was £20k due for 14/5 which was due in Jan 16, but that will also trigger payments on account for 15/6 due in Jan and July 2016. Could the amount they now want be for the later tax year, 15/16? To be honest, it sounds like neither you nor whoever you spoke to at HMRC have much idea as to due dates and amounts. I suspect you phone the debt collection dept at HMRC who won't have the faintest idea what's going on because they're debt collectors. I'd suggest you phone the normal self assessment helpline at HMRC and talk to a proper tax customer service assistant who may be able to explain things better. I agree it sounds like the accountant is a bit shoddy, but it's far too soon to suggest he's stolen your money, and if he thinks you're accusing him of a crime, then it's quite reasonable to start ignoring you - he may well have already taken advice from his legal advisers/insurers and been told not to communicate. I do think it's escalated far too quickly and expect/hope that it's all a misunderstanding and nothing is wrong at all.

Pennywise

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I might be wrong but I'm sure I've heard before of people paying the accountant for him to then pay the tax bill.

No need for it at all and not really recommended practice. Most professional firms won't want the hassle of handling their clients' money, but some clients insist on it for some strange reason.

Andrew_Ryan_89

Tax Assist accountant?