I've just filed online returns [AR01] for a couple of companies, and there's a £13 filing charge in each case. It just occurred to me, that this charge could be treated as an accrual, backdated to the date of the actual return, or it could be treated as an expense incurred at the time of filing.
Is there a generally accepted practice? (It's only £13, so whether it is charged to this accounting year or next isn't going to make a huge difference to anyone.)
I've never seen it accrued for, and I'm not sure it is a time-related accrual. It is payable only as and when a return is submitted, and there's no reduction if you change the reporting period.
As accounting costs, incurred after year end, are backdated to the year in question, I just wondered. But, as you say, these filing costs fall due only at the time of filing (in that sense, similar to postage costs) - and it's only £13.
