- Original Poster
- #1
I have been attempting to find a local accountant or bookkeeper who can help me with my self-assessment at a price I can afford. Also, not being a driver and having a spouse who gets off work at the same time most accountants do is making things difficult. Have a few questions about just filling out this self-assessment form myself online:
1) I have registered at the site and have just received my password and must use it within 28 days. Haven't done anything yet as I wanted to ask whether it would matter if I did start filling out that form but then later decided to have an accountant do it - would it matter? Is there any reason NOT to just start filling it out to see how simple or difficult it is, what they tell me I owe, and whether it is intuitive and as simple as the HMRC make it sound? My profits and expenses are fairly straightforward, though I have no idea how to calculate home office deducations, capital items, etc. Does this form walk you through that or are you expected to know those figures (having previously worked them out) and just deposit them in the appropriately boxes?
2) Is there some sort of software that might help with those things I will find difficult to understand and calculate, i.e., deductions, what is allowable, etc? I've heard of TaxCalc and a few others, but after researching cannot get a good feel for whether they walk you through figuring out your deductions on the software or whether, again, you are just expected to have studied this issue and worked these things out. I need something really, REALLY simple, but then if you've read this far and/or read my last posts on UKBF, you already know that.
3) I have read the terms of service and know that it is not acceptable to advertise jobs here on UKBF, but it is okay to ask if there are any available accountants who have read my prior posts and thus, know my main concerns and can offer me a quote on tax preparation? Is that the same as advertising an available position? I do not want to get into trouble - have found perusing these forums way too helpful to get myself banned right out of the gate!
Below is the link to my prior post, so anyone who is answering my questions here and/or offering their services can be apprised of my concerns.
{Okay, it wouldn't let me post a URL yet to link to my prior post. You can find them by looking at my profile, I suppose.}
I have what should really be a straightforward self-assessment as far as the figures go, but just not sure if I should wing it myself when it comes to the deductions, capital items, home office calculations, foreign income, currency conversion, etc. In no way do I want to flag myself with the HMRC and I DO want to be 100% honest and pay every bit of tax I owe right on time, just not more than I really owe because I missed deductions. Pretty sure I need a professional but time is getting short and my inability to find one I can afford or who is within a 20-mile drive in Belfast and handles such a "small-potatoes" account as mine is making me think perhaps I should try software or a DIY approach. ??
I guess the main #1 pressing question here is whether there is any reason NOT to just register at the HMRC site and start filling out my assessment, just to see what it is like?
Any kind and helpful comments/suggestions appreciated.
1) I have registered at the site and have just received my password and must use it within 28 days. Haven't done anything yet as I wanted to ask whether it would matter if I did start filling out that form but then later decided to have an accountant do it - would it matter? Is there any reason NOT to just start filling it out to see how simple or difficult it is, what they tell me I owe, and whether it is intuitive and as simple as the HMRC make it sound? My profits and expenses are fairly straightforward, though I have no idea how to calculate home office deducations, capital items, etc. Does this form walk you through that or are you expected to know those figures (having previously worked them out) and just deposit them in the appropriately boxes?
2) Is there some sort of software that might help with those things I will find difficult to understand and calculate, i.e., deductions, what is allowable, etc? I've heard of TaxCalc and a few others, but after researching cannot get a good feel for whether they walk you through figuring out your deductions on the software or whether, again, you are just expected to have studied this issue and worked these things out. I need something really, REALLY simple, but then if you've read this far and/or read my last posts on UKBF, you already know that.
3) I have read the terms of service and know that it is not acceptable to advertise jobs here on UKBF, but it is okay to ask if there are any available accountants who have read my prior posts and thus, know my main concerns and can offer me a quote on tax preparation? Is that the same as advertising an available position? I do not want to get into trouble - have found perusing these forums way too helpful to get myself banned right out of the gate!
Below is the link to my prior post, so anyone who is answering my questions here and/or offering their services can be apprised of my concerns.
{Okay, it wouldn't let me post a URL yet to link to my prior post. You can find them by looking at my profile, I suppose.}
I have what should really be a straightforward self-assessment as far as the figures go, but just not sure if I should wing it myself when it comes to the deductions, capital items, home office calculations, foreign income, currency conversion, etc. In no way do I want to flag myself with the HMRC and I DO want to be 100% honest and pay every bit of tax I owe right on time, just not more than I really owe because I missed deductions. Pretty sure I need a professional but time is getting short and my inability to find one I can afford or who is within a 20-mile drive in Belfast and handles such a "small-potatoes" account as mine is making me think perhaps I should try software or a DIY approach. ??
I guess the main #1 pressing question here is whether there is any reason NOT to just register at the HMRC site and start filling out my assessment, just to see what it is like?
Any kind and helpful comments/suggestions appreciated.
