Agency won't stop Self Billing

[BlasterBates]

All the tax office are interested is that the following information is on the invoice:

https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-tak...y-must-include

Anything else doesn't matter.

[SueEllen]

Why does the second invoice (the agency's self billing invoice) create the tax point? Their invoice is created and dated after I have submitted my invoice.

If you Google the relevant HMRC pages it states that if you agree to self-billing you don't create an invoice so the agency's date is the one you use. It's tough if it's later.

As you haven't agreed to self-billing go over the agent's head to one of the directors and/or the admin staff in the agency to sort out the issue with your invoices.

[malvolio]

Why does the second invoice (the agency's self billing invoice) create the tax point? Their invoice is created and dated after I have submitted my invoice.

Fair point. In which case your invoice is the tax point and theirs becomes merely a Remittance Advice. To be precise, in continuing services like ours, the tax point is set by when the work is charged for which, in your case, is when you issue your invoice.

(One thing just occurred - if you're using FRS, does the tax point really matter?)

[BlasterBates]

The "tax point" should be a unique identification number for the invoice. All the other information needs to be recorded as well and should match with the agency. Whether it says "self billing" or not is irrelevant.

[openshac]

If you Google the relevant HMRC pages it states that if you agree to self-billing you don't create an invoice so the agency's date is the one you use. It's tough if it's later.

As you haven't agreed to self-billing go over the agent's head to one of the directors and/or the admin staff in the agency to sort out the issue with your invoices.

I did speak to them but they just said they can't do anything as the system they use "is not set up for this and [they] are unable to manipulate the system".

What other options do I have to stop them from Self Billing?

[Fred Bloggs]

Fair point. In which case your invoice is the tax point and theirs becomes merely a Remittance Advice. To be precise, in continuing services like ours, the tax point is set by when the work is charged for which, in your case, is when you issue your invoice.

(One thing just occurred - if you're using FRS, does the tax point really matter?)

Yes, but to avoid paying VAT on money invoiced but not yet received you have to elect to use cash accounting.

[Fred Bloggs]

I did speak to them but they just said they can't do anything as the system they use "is not set up for this and [they] are unable to manipulate the system".

What other options do I have to stop them from Self Billing?

None at all. On second thoughts, quitting the gig would stop them pretty smartish.

[missinggreenfields]

What other options do I have to stop them from Self Billing?

Leave and find an agency / client that doesn't operate self billing.

[Scruff]

Create your own invoice by all means.

To prevent the duplicate Tax Point, just head it "Pro-forma Invoice", and keep it for your records as a cross-reference.

[Lance]

Does that actually guarantee that a duplicate tax point is not created?

No idea. I use the same invoice reference though. And only get paid once.