Tax agent forgot to file tax return

Fedupofirresponsiblebusinessess

I employed a tax agent to submit 2 x tax returns, one was already overdue and incurring fines.
They had all information of me and forwarded the returns for my approval before the January deadline.
I approved them immediately and even called in to make a payment for both to them personally.
I then happily went away 'all sorted' or so I thought, in April I recieved a further fine for the already overdue return, when I checked with HMRC it had not been returned?
I checked with the Agent, who checked internally and eventually responded with apologies for some reason that one had not been submitted and submitted it!
I have an e mail chain which shows them sending to me for approval, me approving and instructing to submit, and them agreeing.
I have asked them numerous times by e mail and personal delivery letter to refund me the £300 fine that has been incurred, but they are just ignoring me and not engaging! (ANNOYING!)
I know HMRC view itas my responsibility but I paid a business to do something which they didnt do and I have evidence, which has now cost me £300.
Can I and How do I get this back from the tax agent?

subjecttocontract

Small Claims Court is available.

Fedupofirresponsiblebusinessess

Is this somethig I can claim through small claims or as a tax agent/accountant do they have 'wriggle romm' to say its my responsibility??

Penguin_

You have asked them to carry out a service & they have failed to do it.

Small claims.

MyRealNameToo

Fedupofirresponsiblebusinessess said:

Is this somethig I can claim through small claims or as a tax agent/accountant do they have 'wriggle romm' to say its my responsibility??

You need to read your contract, they are unlikely to say it's your responsibility when you've paid them to do it but you may have agreed to caps on liability. For services like this it's not uncommon for the standard contract to say their limit of liability is the value of the service provided in the last 12 months. I'd have gotten that changed because I want them to have more skin in the game but many will just blindly sign terms without reviewing them. 

mta999

Do they have a regulatory body eg are they an acountant etc

the first step is to make a formal complaint to them and and give them time to sort it out

If no joy you can go to their regulatory body (if they have one)

Also as above small claims