John Stokdyk has the details of Lord Carter’s review of online filing. What’s interesting is the almost unanimous braying of practitioners complaining that moving the online filing date forward will make life hell for them. My question. What makes the UK so different?
The US tax filing season for 2005 is about to come to a close. I am filing my last French tax return early next month. I’ve already started paying my 2005 tax, the remainder will be paid May, with the balance in October, calculated to actual and adjusted by amounts actually paid. As usual, I’ll need to check it but as I file online, any errors are most likely mine. Filing over the Internet is easy for the man in the street, provided he understands the paper forms. It’s all considered a normal part of your life or that of your accountant. So what makes the UK so different that practitioners can’t get their heads around it?
Why can’t practitioners find new ways to work so that information is available more close to the accounting period end? Don’t tell me it’s sloppy or tardy clients because that doesn’t wash anymore. Carter is giving you about 6 years before he anticipates all businesses and IT literate individuals will be filing online. This is not an elective issue, this is what you’re going to be faced with. 2008 is the deadline for agents. Why, instead of bitching about it, how about using it to yours and your clients’ advantage? Don’t know how? Hint – you might have studied management accounting at some point. If not, you’re screwed.
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