Weird message from HMRC VAT - scam?

[psychocandy]

Ring the IPSE office on +44 208 897 9970 and ask them what to do. Or ring the IPSE tax advice helping on 01788 558 877 / 0845 125 9252 and speak to someone about it.

If it's genuine, then you should be pointing them to IPSE straight away. If it's not and you point them to IPSE then they'll go away.

Why IPSE and not my accountant?

[tractor]

...

Why IPSE and not my accountant?

Are HMRC scared of your accountant?

[psychocandy]

Well, it is genuine. Called HMRC office and verified.
So spoke to lady. Nice enough. Seems I've been picked up randomly.

BUT issues I have:-

1) They want to do it at 10am till up to 4pm. So I'll lose a days billing for this.

2) They're trying to TELL me which week. I've explained that I can't just TELL my client who provides my income that Im not available that day.

Answer: Tough.

Time to speak to IPSE I think. Tossers.

And BTW - they said they'll put it in writing once appointment is agreed.

[tractor]

Well, it is genuine. Called HMRC office and verified.
So spoke to lady. Nice enough. Seems I've been picked up randomly.

BUT issues I have:-

1) They want to do it at 10am till up to 4pm. So I'll lose a days billing for this.

2) They're trying to TELL me which week. I've explained that I can't just TELL my client who provides my income that Im not available that day.

Answer: Tough.

Time to speak to IPSE I think. Tossers.

And BTW - they said they'll put it in writing once appointment is agreed.

Better hope the IR35 team wasn't listening in at the time

[SlipTheJab]

Are you on the flat rate VAT with your accountant handling all of the admin, if so one wonders why they are even bothering?

[TheFaQQer]

Why IPSE and not my accountant?

1) They want to do it at 10am till up to 4pm. So I'll lose a days billing for this.

That's why as a starter - up to £500 per day business interruption cover if you're an IPSE+ member.

Secondly, if it turns into anything nasty, you want to have had them involved from the start.

[psychocandy]

Ah ha ipse+ member am I. Flat rate vat so it's all pointless

[psychocandy]

That's why as a starter - up to £500 per day business interruption cover if you're an IPSE+ member.

Secondly, if it turns into anything nasty, you want to have had them involved from the start.

Might be a winner then. Day rate covered and VAT guy will probably look through a few invoices for an hour and that'll be it.

What exactly will they check anyway? Im flat rate anyway so its not as if they'll check what I've claimed. Surely, it'll just be a case of here are the invoices, yes it all adds up and the figures for your return are correct?

Just wondering though - is this sort of thing a precursor for IR35 in any way? Can't see how the two are connected though.....

[Maslins]

What exactly will they check anyway? Im flat rate anyway so its not as if they'll check what I've claimed. Surely, it'll just be a case of here are the invoices, yes it all adds up and the figures for your return are correct?

Just wondering though - is this sort of thing a precursor for IR35 in any way? Can't see how the two are connected though.....

We've had a few. Often there will be some VAT reclaims in the first VAT period (pre registration purchases), plus of course may be a handful of >£2k capital purchases. Other things they might want to check (obviously won't apply to all cases):
- are you applying the correct FRS rate?
- if you've got any sales outside scope of VAT, are they accurate (most commonly non UK sales)?
- are they happy all sales are being recorded (may have quick scan of bank statements for any possible big bank receipts not reflecting invoices).

I wouldn't be massively concerned...this isn't them saying they're confident you've done anything wrong, just them wanting to check a few things. More often than not they'll poke around for a bit then leave you be...though quite commonly they will try hard to find _something_ (even if it's tiddly) to pull you up on so they can justify their salary!

Don't think it in any way suggests an IR35 visit is around the corner.

[psychocandy]

We've had a few. Often there will be some VAT reclaims in the first VAT period (pre registration purchases), plus of course may be a handful of >£2k capital purchases. Other things they might want to check (obviously won't apply to all cases):
- are you applying the correct FRS rate?
- if you've got any sales outside scope of VAT, are they accurate (most commonly non UK sales)?
- are they happy all sales are being recorded (may have quick scan of bank statements for any possible big bank receipts not reflecting invoices).

I wouldn't be massively concerned...this isn't them saying they're confident you've done anything wrong, just them wanting to check a few things. More often than not they'll poke around for a bit then leave you be...though quite commonly they will try hard to find _something_ (even if it's tiddly) to pull you up on so they can justify their salary!

Don't think it in any way suggests an IR35 visit is around the corner.

No pre-reg purchases and no £2K+ for me.
Can't see it taking too long then lol.

I assume I can't say no sorry inconvenient then? To be honest, if IPSE+ come good for me then fair enough.