5th April sees the end of the 2019-20 Tax Year. Here are some handy points for our clients around getting things to us.
What Do We Need?
We need a Self Assessment Data Request from all clients. This shouldn’t take you long, and you can save and return during completing the form. Sometimes it feels a bit like “Coals to Newcastle” filling in a tax form so your accountants can do your taxes – we understand. We try and make it as simple as possible, and the form is a structured and efficient way for us to get the basic information about your taxes so we can start work on the fiddly bits – what you send us is human reviewed, not machine – however a structured information request is an important part of our quality procedures in getting your taxes right.
If you run a business we need your accounting records. There are some guidance and checklists here – this is guidance rather than instruction, so use common sense. By and large we don’t need all your invoices and receipts, we do need your books and bank statement. If you are unsure what you sent us last year is a good start.
Please check your expenses are complete first – here is a checklist
If you run a Limited Company or LLP, we will need to see your Register of People with Significant Control when you send your books in – this is a new requirement for 2020 year ends. Heres a form to submit it, and here is a bit more about keeping your Register of People with Significant Control.
Finally, if you are either an employer or a company director, then we need a P11D questionnaire.
When Do We Need It By?
By the end of September 2020 please, although earlier is better! Why do we need it so soon? Simply to avoid last minute panics and rushes in December / January which make it very difficult to offer the service level we would like to our clients, and increases the risk of mistakes. Getting information into us early means we have time to iron out any queries on your accounts, get filings done in good time, and you have time to plan for tax payments.
The HMRC submission deadline for individual Self Assessments – sole traders, partners and company directors – is 31 January 2021 (for 2019-20) – and your Self Assessment payment is due then.
For Companies and LLPs with 31 March 2020 year ends, your accounts are due to Companies House by 31 December 2020 (maybe earlier if its your first year), and your Corporation Tax bill is due 1st January 2021.
For the 2019/20 filing season, thats to say returns for 2019/20 being filed between April 2020 and January 2021, we’ve suspended our normal Late Presentation Fee which we charge if information comes into us after 30 September – as we know this year is up in the air with Coronavirus. We are also offering a fee deferral arrangement if you want to get your taxes done early and pay in the autumn when life is, hopefully, more normal.
How Do I Get It To You?
Email is best! However post works as well. We are happy to have scans of things like bank statements.
If you want to deliver books to our reception, then please check with us regarding opening hours before making a special visit. Our reception hours have been reduced due to Coronavirus, and we hope to be returning to normal hours from September (updated 23 July 2020)
Help
If you are unsure about any of this, please speak to your normal contact at Whitefield & YogaTax and they will guide you through any questions.
