Reclaim tax through accountant

Jetjet_12

Hi everyone. I need a bit of insight. 

I have been working here in the UK for almost 9 years now and never really reclaimed any tax. I did a self assessment for my tax code previously as i do pay professional organisation and union fees plus uniform washing and for work shoe purchases. But since then I have done nothing as I have always left it to HMRC that once I got the tax code right then everything is at the right place where it should be. I did get a tax refund once the year after i changed jobs. 

Now i was approached by a friend who introduced me to an accountant who said she will look into reclaiming tax for me. She said the only critieria that they are looking for is someone who has been working in the UK the last 4 years and has earned a minimum income of 60k combined in the last 4 years. I basically fit into the criteria. 

Here is the catch, they want to access or open my government gateway ID account themselves so that they can do the application online. Plus they would want to get the 25% cash commission literally by cash. No bank transfers / cheques or anything like that. Probably to avoid any paper trail. Now i am hesitant to do this aa it sends a lot of warning signals to me. The accountant assured me that HMRC would not come back chasing me after a few years which is what I am scared of. I am also wary of them accessing my government gateway id as i have already been a victim of identity fraud.

My friend by the way got 6k minus the commission which is like 4k. One of her referred friends got 8k. 

My question is would it really be possible to reclaim that amount of tax paid without HMRC haunting you back? I am just too scared to jump on their bandwagon for easy money despite me needing cash so bad right now. 

Also if it's possible can someone guide me through the right links so that I myself can look into it? 

Thank you so much. 

Jeremy535897

Agents are not allowed to use their client's government gateway access. The level of commission being charged for a straightforward expenses claim is far higher than normal. You are opening yourself to someone committing fraud in your name. Have a look at https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/employment/employment-benefits-and-expenses/what-if-i-incur-expenses-relation-my-job to see how to do it yourself.

Grumpy_chap

If you really feel there is tax to be reclaimed, and can't do the claim yourself, then seek out an Accountant in conventional manner.

This idea of an Accountant working through pyramid selling seems wrong.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Perhaps you could clarify why you think there is some tax to be reclaimed?

What haven't you don't in the past which means there is something to claim back?

Knowing someone else who has had a refund isn't a reason you would be due tax back.

Jetjet_12

Thanks for the input guys. I did not think there was a tax to be reclaimed but my friend just keeps talking to me about it coz she will also get a 4% commission from the 25% commission of the accountant since she was the one who referred me. 

I did tell her i was hesitant to do it coz there could be repercussions along the line and i would rather not be in trouble and break the law or anything like that. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

I did not think there was a tax to be reclaimed

So you have no need to use a third party company of any sort, nevermind one that has a highly suspect way of operating.

The accountant assured me that HMRC would not come back chasing me after a few years 

Who do you think HMRC would then chase 🤔

A claim is made via your Personal Tax Account.  

If you owe money back to HMRC who do you think HMRC would be pursuing???

Jetjet_12

Thanks for the insights. 😊

Grumpy_chap

Jetjet_12 said:

Thanks for the input guys. I did not think there was a tax to be reclaimed but my friend just keeps talking to me about it coz she will also get a 4% commission from the 25% commission of the accountant since she was the one who referred me. 

I did tell her i was hesitant to do it coz there could be repercussions along the line and i would rather not be in trouble and break the law or anything like that. 

So it really is pyramid selling....
Totally unprofessional for an Accountant and make you wonder why this Accountant can't secure work through conventional means.

sheramber

There are several posts on here from people who used 'tax assistants' to claim back tax only to get a demand  from HMRC for it  be repaid as the claim was incorrect.

HMRC  will pay now and check later and you are the one they will chase for the whole amount, including the 25%  the 'accountant' has kept.

Ask your friend what the accountant claimed for that resulted in the refund. If it is legitimate you can claim it yourself without losing 25%.

NorthYorkie

Lots of good advice here - don't touch this with a barge-pole!!!

These so-called 'accountants' are just a bunch of cowboys - they will take their commission up front and will not be concerned about the accuracy of the claim they are making on your behalf. Their sole objective is to make money, NOT to provided you with a quality service.

Keep_pedalling

You were very wise asking the question here. If the answers give have not quite scared you off have a read through this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6273595/hmrc-asking-me-to-repay-from-a-rebate/p1