I lost a client earlier on this year, I was asked to submit the vat return for period ending 31/01, I did this as a favour but did express that as I had no input in this return, I am by submitting, signing a declaration that it is true.
I had a phone call on my mobile earlier on this week, from someone who I do not know or even heard asking me to submit the return, they also wanted me to pass on Vat number and registration details so I would not have to do this again.
I rang the old clients left a message, sent a text and emailed no reply.
I have an email from the stranger with the figures to put on the return, I have replied that I am waiting for authorisation from the client, do I submit now before it is to late? Would you submit a second vat return with no input and as a freebie?
You have not been authorised by the client to talk to the third party. Regardless of anything else you cannot talk with the person perporting to represent the client until the client has confirmed the arrangement and given you permission to talk to the third party.... So it really doesn't matter what they say as you have no authority to speak with them and that is perhaps all that you should tell them (although a little politer than that).
You have done everything within your power to contact the client and they have not replied.
For reference the section of the ethical code that covers this further is Section 140. Confidentiality.
Considering the above, any late payment is purely down to the client not yourself. And also the risk to you is greater by filing than not filing.
As for the last line, no, I would not submit the return from a third parties input that I did not know. I would also bill the client for the time spent chasing them and the time spent replying to the third party.
kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. if you a filing returns for a client and the returns proves to be less accurate than it should (which is likely as you have no part of preparing the figures) then you could win a free HMRC investigation for all of your other clients.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
think that I said the same thing in a slightly more drawn out fashion, lol.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks Julie, I was having a bad day and it came across on the forum, I'm not normally as abrupt as that!
Some people only understand abrupt language
Also, from personal experience, no good deed goes unpunished. Even if you want to help someone for free there should be something in it for you: job satisfaction, client loyalty and so on.
