Using an accountant for Self Assessment
The Government is working hard to make digital the entire tax structure, which means the current Self-Assessment tax return as we know it today is on its way out. But as long as it is there, we have to fill and submit our Self-Assessment form in order to let the authorities know how much tax you owe as a small business owner, freelancer or partnership. If you find filling your own Self-Assessment cumbersome, frustrating or tedious, it is best you hire the services of a qualified accountant.
An accountant well-versed with such things can do a good job of filling your Self-Assessment form, but it in no way implies that you hand over the job to your accountant and then forget everything about it. Your work does not end with handing over the work to your accountant as you still need to provide your accountant with relevant information so that the details can be accurately filled. However, in case you are unaware of what information your accountant may ask for, here is the list of all the information your accountant may require at the time of filling Self-Assessment form.
List of Information Require for Filling Self-Assessment form
Employment information
If you have been an employee, either at your own company or in some other organization, you need to provide information to your accountant about your annual salary as well as the tax that you have already paid. For this purpose, you should provide your accountant with a P60 or P45, which bears a detailed account of your gross salary, tax deducted and any student loan deductions. In case you have received any benefits or expenses, you will also need to provide evidence of this via the Employer’s P11D, which shows all taxable and other benefits.
Pension income
You have to furnish your accountant with P60 or the certificate of pension paid in case you receive an occupational pension. In case you receive a state pension, you have to furnish your notification letter along with the amount of pension you have received. In addition, you also need to provide details about the any taxable benefits that you have received.
Self-employment/Partnership
If you are self-employed or in partnership, you have to provide all information to your accountants related to the overall profit or loss made by the business during the accounting year.
This includes:
Business records
Partnership interest income and the total tax deducted on that income
Self-Assessment help
Investment income
You may have made some income on your investment. This information needs to be there on your Self-Assessment form, which necessitates on your part to provide this information to your accountant as well.
Here we list the type of investment income and the accompanying documents that need to be supplied with each type of investment income.
Investment income type
Interest received from banks and building societies
Documentation you need to submit
Certificates of interest and tax deducted
Investment income type
Dividends from UK companies and/or unit trust including shares and/or units in place of dividends
Documentation you need to submit
Dividend/distribution vouchers displaying the dividend received, the date on which it was received along with the tax credit
Investment income type
Income generated from Deeds of Covenant and estates, trusts and settlements
Documentation you need to submit
R185 or certificates of income showing the amount of tax that was deducted
Investment income type
Gross National savings interest received
Documentation you need to submit
Statements of interest received
Investment income type
Income received from property
Documentation you need to submit
Income and expenditure statements along with mortgage interest statements
Investment income type
Overseas income
Documentation you need to submit
Dividend vouchers and evidence of other income
Investment income type
Money that you have withdrawn from life assurance policies or bonds
Documentation you need to submit
Chargeable Event Certificate from life assurance policy
Investment income type
Expenses related to employment
Documentation you need to submit
You have to furnish details of all tax-deductible expenses like travelling expenses, professional deductions, etc.
Investment income type
Amount you have paid as pension contribution
Documentation you need to submit
Payments made, the date on which they were made, total amount paid, and policy details with copy documentation
Investment income type
Qualifying loans and mortgages
Documentation you need to submit
Lender’s statements showing the amount of interest paid and the total tax relief provided
Investment income type
Gift Aid or Deed of Covenant payments
Documentation you need to submit
Covenant details along with Gift Aid payments details, which should include charity, the amount given and the date on which it was given.
Investment income type
Student Loan repayments
Documentation you need to submit
Details of payments made with amounts and the dates on which the payment was made. You also need to furnish copy statement showing the balance as of 5 April
Investment income type
Sundry other payments that may qualify for tax relief
Documentation you need to submit
Details of the payee, amount, and the date for the same along with a short description of the reason
Capital transactions
You should also provide all the relevant information pertaining to all the financial transaction that you undertook during the financial year.
For this purpose, your accountant will require information on any of the below mentioned that applies to you.
Disposals where the gain is in excess of £11,000
Capital losses that needs to be claimed
Disposal of main residence if it is partly used for business
Shares bought, sold or any take-over you may have completed
Acquisition of properties and their disposals
Other chargeable disposals, e.g. personal property exceeding £11,000
Any other additional information
In addition to the above details, your account may require you to furnish further details while filling your Self-assessment form. If you have any income generated from sources not mentioned above, or tax deductions or gains/losses, it is important you provide all the details to your accountant. Once your accountant has all the relevant information, you can be assured that he will do a good job of completing an accurate Self-Assessment return for you.
Any questions? Schedule a call with one of our experts.