Is An Accountant Required To Submit Your Tax Return?
Most often, it is fair to say that most business owners are not confident when it comes to deciding which aspects of their tax duties they can deal with themselves and when they can be at an advantage from calling in a professional. Some would argue that giving the job to an accountant is a much easier option. However, there is now clever technology that can boost your confidence when organising your taxes on your own.
How does self tax assessment work?
Self-assessment tax returns declare how much taxable income you have earned in that financial year and determines any expenses you may be qualified to claim.
The digital tax initiative, which is slowly being introduced, means that annual returns will be replaced with quarterly reports.
Tax returns depend upon close attention to detail, making sure to provide exact dates, figures and details of any marital and special relief privileges you might be eligible for. Business owners should always be willing to support their claims with sufficient evidence such as invoices or receipts if requested to do so. If you submit false information you may be charged with a hefty penalty, this would be the same if you were to miss a filing deadline. The longer you take to amend the complication, the more your fine is likely to grow.
Other tax filing options
Sadly, some small businesses simply do not have the money to spare to hire an accountant; however, it’s essential to keep your returns free from errors. Human error is a genuine but leading issue in incorrect returns, and if they were to make a mistake, your business would be liable. Many people shy away from completing their tax returns due to the added pressure it brings.
An alternative method is to invest in a tax software (for example Quickbooks) that keeps track of your income and expenses throughout the financial year. Providing you input your figures carefully, the calculations should be error-free! On the other hand, spreadsheets, calculators and good book-keeping can help you be your own accountant. Although it may not be as simple as tax software, it is undoubtedly attainable if you have a good head for numbers!
How can a tax account be useful?
Business accountants deal with numbers daily, therefore, are ideal for protecting your figures. More so, they know the conduct; what you are and are not entitled to claim and how you can cut your liabilities. Employing an accountant not only saves bundles of stress but also a lot of time, it is typically around £150 for a reputable firm, often a little less if you only require a basic service. The price may seem quite reasonable to a business who may on average spend several hours completing their own tax return.
If you feel like you could benefit from having an accountant, don’t hesitate to get in contact!
