What services are you offering? Tax returns, accounts, bookkeeping?
Firstly, do not worry and try to be relaxed! Clients want to feel that you know what you are doing, if you look unsure of yourself they will feel uneasy. In my experience, clients are always more nervous than me. Lots of self employed individuals have a fear of HMRC and paperwork and they often believe anything you tell them.
Why does he need the tax return submitted this month? Paper returns have up to 31st October to be submitted.
Are you registered with HMRC as an agent? If you are, why not authorise yourself as his agent and submit online?
Just have a friendly chat with them and find out...
What do they do..
Are they paid under the CIS scheme..
What is their year end..
How do they record their income/expenses..
Do they have any other income..
What vehicle do they use for work (make, model, engine size, diesel or petrol, estimated value).
If this is not their first year of SA, who did the return last year? If they did it themselves do they have a copy of last years tax return? What about the capital allowances, were they claimed last year? If they had another accountant you will need their details so you can write to them for transfer information (last accounts / tax return etc.), but it is unlikely you will receive this by the end of the month.
If you will be taking over their tax affairs you will need to obtain information for completion of the 64-8 - full name / DOB / NINO / UTR.
