Tax Return Software

[Parky]

I have up to now resisted submitting on-line tax returns, but am finding it harder and harder to get a response from HMRC on progress with my paper tax return. HMRC supplies a list of software for on-line tax returns but no recommendation. Can anyone recommend an easy-to use software package for completing on-line returns (for a Trust)?
Thanks.

[scrumpyjack]

I can certainly recommend Taxcalc for personal returns.

It's a lot more expensive for Trusts, It think. The SA100 return for individuals will do 6 for £30 but the Trust system is £40 for only one trust.

[ten0rman]

I used TaxCalc for a long number of years starting when it was sold by Which, right through to it being sold by Acorah (I think it was). And found it reasonably easy to use.

For the last three years I have been unable to use TaxCalc as I have changed from using Windows to using Linux and although I could get it to sort of work under Linux it wasn't satisfactory. I now use HMRC's own software offering and have had no problems at all.

TaxCalc was £25 last time I used it: HMRC was free!

Regards,

ten0rman

[XFool]

TaxCalc was £25 last time I used it: HMRC was free!

But was it correct (HMRC)? And how can we tell?

[GPhelan]

I use SA2000 from http://www.sa2000.co.uk to check my tax, but submit using the HMRC online system.
SA2000 matches the HMRC calculation to a penny. This is with a mix of income sources including UK and foreign interest and dividends and charitable donations. Mine is still a simple submission compared with all the many possibilities.

SA2000 is based on Excel and this makes it especially easy for modelling different scenarios, such as the implications of moving from foreign dividends to UK dividends, dividend income to bond income, changes in Gift Aid and Capital Gains tax implications. Easy because you just save the new scenario as another workbook. SA2000 does not hold your hand very much, so if you struggle to understand what figure to put in a box on the HMRC form, than SA2000 will not solve your problems.

[ten0rman]

Xfool,

But was it correct (HMRC)? And how can we tell?

I don't know, and am not sufficiently aware to be able to tell. What I can say is that having got our finances into what I consider a stable setup - a combination of mainly IT's, a few cash accounts, and all held in ISA's - my tax affairs appear to be relatively constant year in, year out, perhaps with an end of year adjustment of a few pence, or maybe an odd pound or so. We don't have much in non-ISA accounts, in fact at the moment I'm struggling a little bit because I used my "reserve" cash to buy our new caravan with the result that I don't have that cash buffer for everyday living. Hence we do not get involved with CGT, investment income limits or whatever it's called etc. Or indeed anything out of the ordinary income taxable income (eh? Does that make sense?) Our income is a works pension, taxed at source, and two state retirement pensions.

As a result, using the HMRC software has, somewhat unwittingly, ie it wasn't the reason for doing it, saved me the princely sum of £25. And all without any undue problems.

ten0rman

[PinkDalek]

I have up to now resisted submitting on-line tax returns, but am finding it harder and harder to get a response from HMRC on progress with my paper tax return. ...

If of interest from the ICAEW Tax News Blog (direct link unavailable):

Paper tax returns

HMRC does not process paper self assessment tax returns as they are received. Instead they are batched and processed by a team dedicated to this task. We understand that the bulk of this work is done between October and December and that HMRC works to a target of processing 99% of paper returns received by the end of October, by 31 December (in time for the statement run).

[PinkDalek]

Late edit. This link might function:

https://ion.icaew.com/taxfaculty/b/webl ... hallenging

[Parky]

Thanks all for your comments. I am starting to get my head around this. I have started looking at the commercial software, but as commented it is relatively expensive, almost as much as the tax payable in fact in some cases. I was not aware that HMRC had their own software, and a quick search hasn't brought it up. Where can I find it, and is it available for the Trust return SA900?

[Parky]

I have up to now resisted submitting on-line tax returns, but am finding it harder and harder to get a response from HMRC on progress with my paper tax return. ...

If of interest from the ICAEW Tax News Blog (direct link unavailable):

Paper tax returns

HMRC does not process paper self assessment tax returns as they are received. Instead they are batched and processed by a team dedicated to this task. We understand that the bulk of this work is done between October and December and that HMRC works to a target of processing 99% of paper returns received by the end of October, by 31 December (in time for the statement run).

Thanks PD. I now understand why, despite having submitted returns in April, I have still had no reply. I would have thought that they could take the time to confirm receipt of the forms at least

[swill453]

I was not aware that HMRC had their own software, and a quick search hasn't brought it up. Where can I find it, and is it available for the Trust return SA900?

I think people just mean logging on to the online Self Assessment part of the HMRC web site, and filling in the appropriate pages there. It's certainly what I do for my admittedly simple tax return.

As to whether it can handle the SA900, I don't know.

Scott.

[scrumpyjack]

Incredibly the HMRC on line facility does not support all their forms so if, for example, you are a Minister of Religion, you have to submit a paper return or use commercial software.

Last year the HMRC system could not calculate income tax correctly in spite of the error being pointed out by software suppliers months in advance.

Taxcalc had to issue faulty software because their system had to have the same calculations as HMRC's even though HMRC admitted it was incorrect!

[PinkDalek]

I have up to now resisted submitting on-line tax returns, but am finding it harder and harder to get a response from HMRC on progress with my paper tax return. ...

If of interest from the ICAEW Tax News Blog (direct link unavailable):

Paper tax returns

HMRC does not process paper self assessment tax returns as they are received. Instead they are batched and processed by a team dedicated to this task. We understand that the bulk of this work is done between October and December and that HMRC works to a target of processing 99% of paper returns received by the end of October, by 31 December (in time for the statement run).

Thanks PD. I now understand why, despite having submitted returns in April, I have still had no reply. I would have thought that they could take the time to confirm receipt of the forms at least

Sadly those days are long gone. Together with the pre-paid envelopes in which to enclose one’s cheques for the Collector.

To answer your other question, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 0-2018.pdf includes:

We’ve sent you this paper form to fill in, but you can also file the tax return online using our internet service (you will need to buy commercial software).

[Parky]

"We’ve sent you this paper form to fill in, but you can also file the tax return online using our internet service (you will need to buy commercial software)."


PD
Yes, that's what I thought.
Parky.

[PinkDalek]

Thanks all for your comments. ...

Coincidentally and despite the extract I supplied re HMRC not starting to look at paper returns before October, I've today received the standard letter from HMRC Trusts showing the "my calculation of your tax laibility" for a Trust return submitted in April 2018.

Seems like different timings apply for Trusts or the report was incorrect.

[JonE]

Seems like different timings apply for Trusts or the report was incorrect.

I imagine that the report related to main-stream returns and that returns handled by specialist departments are treated differently.

The BX9 1AS postcode is a non-geographic code (a bit like an 0845/0870 phone number) for an HMRC mail handling facility which has been said to scan paper returns to digital format which is then distributed electronically to appropriate departments. This is mildly amusing for non-resident individuals as they aren't permitted to submit electronically but must submit on paper. Less amusing is when their local post office seeks to refuse to accept an item for delivery because they can't verify the UK postcode as being a valid destination (because these non-geographic postcodes are not listed in the UK's published PAF).

Cheers!

[PinkDalek]

Seems like different timings apply for Trusts or the report was incorrect.

I imagine that the report related to main-stream returns and that returns handled by specialist departments are treated differently.

Indeed, that's why I mentioned it for Parky, who was talking about Trust Returns, but one would have hoped that the ICAEW Tax Faculty Team would have made this clear and have provided a source for the information they provided. I did look for the latter, briefly, but didn't find it.


Cheers back at you!

p.s. Trust you are keeping fit and it is a shame the all encompassing Property Investment Discussions board is not what it was elsewhere and one formerly prominent poster doesn't appear to have logged in since July 2017. If you are in touch with him and have any news, kindly PM me.. Scrap that, Companies House Beta etc suggests he's still active on a variety of his interests.

[Parky]

Thanks all for your comments. ...

Coincidentally and despite the extract I supplied re HMRC not starting to look at paper returns before October, I've today received the standard letter from HMRC Trusts showing the "my calculation of your tax laibility" for a Trust return submitted in April 2018.

Seems like different timings apply for Trusts or the report was incorrect.

I did my own tax calculation, did you? - might make a difference.

[PinkDalek]

I did my own tax calculation, did you? - might make a difference.

Yes I do my own in my own way but don't bother with doing HMRC's. It could, as you suggest, cause further delay if you submit one, especially if such matters as Foreign dividend Income are included.