I have just received the self assessment exam from the ICB and I am in the process of wading my way through it. I am not after help with the exam as that would be cheating, just one of the questions is ambiguous and I am not sure exactly what it is meaning.
This is what it says:
Having reviewed the file, you note that it may be possible to submit the tax return to HMRC using a different form. Explain what this form would be and what criteria she would need to take into account in considering whether she can use such a form.
I am a bit confused at the FORM. Does this mean a FORM of submission, ie submission online or paper. Or does it mean an actual tax return form, eg short or full tax return forms?
I found some of the SA exam questions very ambiguous, particularly the status of the kitchen (presume you have the same set). Even phoned ICB for clarification but they wouldn't help
To get back to your query, I 'd go with your second conclusion
thanks for that, I was thinking that seemed the most likely, so I will go with that.
Yes, I am making a lot of assumptions as it is not very clear, but writing them all down and my reasoning, it is crazy that it is so unclear when they expect 100% to pass.
I think we all had problems with that one, but Bill's idea is a good one, write a letter with your exam entry explaining how you came about your decisions.
On your question, I would go with other media to submit a return.
I submitted it last week and I was unsure about the same issues. I put your second suggestion first, although I then added another paragraph taling about formats of submission to cover all options. I also put a covering note about some of the other assumptions, like the kitchen Bill mentions.
I don't know whether that was right yet, though, I'm guessing it will be another case of waiting the full month and then having to ring them when there is still no sign of the results.
I put your second suggestion first, although I then added another paragraph taling about formats of submission to cover all options.
If it was me doing the exam I would have gone for the second option especially as the question asks for criteria. Besides, if that is the only thing you get wrong, don't they send it back to you to give you another attempt at it.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Yes, now I know what you mean on the kitchen, yet another assumption to be made. I am assuming it can be claimed as a fixture renewal (ie does not include things you would take with you if selling the property eg removable oven/washer etc but will state that in the notes.
Yes, good point, I can put a bit about both 'forms' of submission, can't harm, at least it covers both scenarios.
thanks to your help I passed the exam (and was quite surprised)! Now the exams are out the way I need to concentrate on getting my business up and running which I am finding a bit more difficult, I will have a lot more questions about that I should think!
Did you all pass with 100% first time or did you have to re-submit anything. How long do they actually take to tell you the result - they say it may take up to a month.
I'm fairly confident I've got the bits to do with the return correct - it is just the advice to client I'm not sure about.
One thing I did find bizarre was I actually enjoyed doing this. I know in real life it would just be a case of plugging the figures into software and submitting. Although, no point in enjoying something if I was doing it wrong so I'll need to wait and see.
I wonder if there is anywhere else on the net I could get some similar scenarios to practise on.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
I did get the 100% first time, but was a little bit surprised as some of the questions I was a bit confused about (as you can see above) but I just tried to cover all options and stated why I had done what I had. eg "I have assumed x because I have not been told y". I think as long as you do this and have treated it correctly then they can't mark you wrong.
I too enjoyed it. It took less than a month for my results to come through.