Has anyone received a letter regarding this ? One of my customers has email me a copy they received today from an accountancy firm stating that if they complete their form they may be entitled to a refund. If successful they will receive refund minus a £12.00 processing fee and a further deduction of 24% + VAT.
I have a template letter that can be sent to HMRC to claim this. No need to pay silly fees for something that is essentially a minute job and will cost the price of a stamp.
There are a couple of other links embedded in there that you need to review to ensure the particular circumstances are covered for your clients. As long as you cover off the scenario relating to your particular client to HMRC then it will then be reflected back in any tax code. A letter is easiest although Ive found they can take months to come back sometimes - Ive done it over the phone before now. Dont forget HMRC needs to be advised as soon as they cease wearing the uniform.
I agree with Matt no need for anyone to pay silly fees, but a way to earn extra income for you as well as retain clients to cover off such things with all of your client base.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Had to laugh one day when I was doing someones accounts and there was a receipt for £1100 worth of clothing from a large size outfitters. "Er, that's a no no" but I do feel sorry when eg my cafe client bought tee shirts for the staff and I had to explain that, unless they were logo'd, couldn't be claimed for.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Many thanks Joanne and John for your pearls of wisdom.
I still have my landscape gardener customer putting through his Sky subs (so he can check the weather reports !!) and more recently his gym subs (citing that he needs to keep fit for his job).
teach your landscape gardner client the magic words wholly and necessarily and refuse to put the sky and gym through the books
Same rules for eating meals also apply to everything else.
The people sending out these letters are not accountants as the approach breaks section 250 (marketing professional services) of the IFAC professional code of ethics and use that to warn their clients not to give out their details.
John,
I actually feel sorry for your cafe T shirts client as I will have money on it that the T shirts are a colour tied to the cafe and it could in some ways be argued that the colour itself could be regarded as the Logo.
I think that in that case I would have suggested post purchase attachment of a logo and then allowed the whole cost.
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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.
Chartered firms should not be bottom trawling for work.
They have approached your client in an unsolicited manner with a PPI type suggestion.
Not at all what I would expect of a professional firm and to my mind reason for a swift letter to the institute.
kindest regards,
Shaun.
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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.
I actually feel sorry for your cafe T shirts client as I will have money on it that the T shirts are a colour tied to the cafe and it could in some ways be argued that the colour itself could be regarded as the Logo.
I think that in that case I would have suggested post purchase attachment of a logo and then allowed the whole cost.
That's a good suggestion Shaun, I will remember that if the situation crops up in the future. From memory the cafe didn't have a specific colour scheme but wanted the staff wearing the same colour as a "uniform"
Another one that made me chuckle: I was just going through some queries at a client's house. "I see you've claimed for a kettle" I said, "yes, It's that one there on kitchen worktop" was the reply!! Maybe they thought making the bookkeeper a brew would justify it for business use lol.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
I actually feel sorry for your cafe T shirts client as I will have money on it that the T shirts are a colour tied to the cafe and it could in some ways be argued that the colour itself could be regarded as the Logo.
I think that in that case I would have suggested post purchase attachment of a logo and then allowed the whole cost.
That's a good suggestion Shaun, I will remember that if the situation crops up in the future. From memory the cafe didn't have a specific colour scheme but wanted the staff wearing the same colour as a "uniform"
Another one that made me chuckle: I was just going through some queries at a client's house. "I see you've claimed for a kettle" I said, "yes, It's that one there on kitchen worktop" was the reply!! Maybe they thought making the bookkeeper a brew would justify it for business use lol.
All they have to do is sew a logo and label in them and hey presto.......so cheap to do as well. Ive had a bill for £1200 clothes from one of my clients he wants to put through! Plus top hat and tails for a trip to the races, new house sign, bed settees (for the office) and allsorts of other goodies! I love clients
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
