Reply to: no 2017 SJD spreadsheet? any alternatives?

[nozmeister]

FYI - SJD spreadsheet appears to be available to download now

[psychocandy]

Not surprising if they've stopped putting it in their free downloads, really going to cause me problems though, anyone know of a decent alternative?

Thanks,

Do you mean the dividend planner one? That is quite handy...

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

There's a free sheet on our website if it's of help. It's primarily meant for our clients, but if it's if use by all means help yourself.

It may or may not survive another tax year, depends on getting clarity around HMRCs "Making Tax Digital" agenda. At some stage I suspect we will need to migrate everyone to Freeagent/xero/sage/quick books/ANO, but we are holding fire pending (maybe wishful thinking) clarity.

[northernladuk]

Ok I get that, but you're making assumptions. I check everything with my accountant first, so I know alt the dividend changes, acting I don't know I ask and when I send them my spreadsheet every quarter they check through it.
Having read around this morning I'm getting the impression that I may need to change my ways anyway, if only for the sake of my own sanity. There are a lot of people who have said they've moved from the sjd spreadsheet to one of these online systems and I'd be an idiot if I ignored that.
Anyway I hate to abandon my own thread but I'm off away for the weekend, will have a think about this next week.
Thanks for the input y'all

The fact you've come back and asked questions and listened is a bonus. Most drop a one liner on US minus all the important detail and don't bother posting again because they didn't get the answer they wanted to hear.

Kudos for sticking around after the wobble at the beginning, listening to what people say and actually considering it. Even if you don't take the advice then fair enough. You've made an informed decision which makes all this buggering about on these forums worthwhile for me.

You see why we like to go off topic now.

[MrMarkyMark]

A practical example is a number of contractors I know think they've got the grasp of paying themselves divis under the threshold but have failed to understand the implications of the new divi tax meaning it is actually more efficient to take over the threshold this year as it is cheaper than it will be in future years.

Funny you should mention that, that's exactly what I did this year.
Before I went off on my extended holiday jolly, I had an excellent summary from my accountant. Went away not only with total piece of mind, but also a few thousand quid, extra, in my pocket.
Went a large way to paying expenses for my time away.

Still, some would rather save £800 per year - false economy.

[Antimus]

Ok I get that, but you're making assumptions. I check everything with my accountant first, so I know alt the dividend changes, acting I don't know I ask and when I send them my spreadsheet every quarter they check through it.
Having read around this morning I'm getting the impression that I may need to change my ways anyway, if only for the sake of my own sanity. There are a lot of people who have said they've moved from the sjd spreadsheet to one of these online systems and I'd be an idiot if I ignored that.
Anyway I hate to abandon my own thread but I'm off away for the weekend, will have a think about this next week.
Thanks for the input y'all

[northernladuk]

I wish I knew what you meant by that

He means you know you can save 800 quid by not getting a proper accountant but you have no idea how much you are losing or could stand to lose by not using one. The benefits of that 800 quid are lost to you because you are only looking at the cost.

The problem is you think you know what you might know. The danger is not knowing what you do not know. That's what is going to trip you up. When something hits you from left field you didn't know about or consider and leaves you high and dry. One example is buggering about with directors loans but don't take the time to fully understand bed and breakfasting and the new regulations. We can all take a loan from the company but very few understand all the implications and legislations around it. That's a fairly basic example.

A practical example is a number of contractors I know think they've got the grasp of paying themselves divis under the threshold but have failed to understand the implications of the new divi tax meaning it is actually more efficient to take over the threshold this year as it is cheaper than it will be in future years. You should see the look on peoples faces when I tried to explain that. Then the look on my face when they ask if they can backdate the dividends.....

[Antimus]

I wish I knew what you meant by that

[Scruff]

I am out of this thread - another one from "someone who knows the cost of everything, but the value of nothing..."

[Antimus]

You asked for a reasonable alternative and you got one. How is that not on topic?

I apologise, when I said alternative I meant alternative spreadsheet. I have the option of sending all my receipts to my accountant to do the leg work but I like how I can just open the spreadsheet and see everything I need, without paying £20/month to another company to store basically the same information online.

OP - Drop this guy a line and see if he will give you a copy of his...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/umbre...ml#post2242459

Might do, looks like he's gone way beyond the call of duty, I suppose there are always extremes in every case. Thanks

[northernladuk]

Not free (£45) but I use

DIY Accounting Software, Small Business, Payslip Software, Tax Return, Limited Company UK

Could you keep on topic please!!

OP - Drop this guy a line and see if he will give you a copy of his...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/umbre...ml#post2242459

[aoxomoxoa]

I have an accountant to do tax returns and end of year, etc. but I like to manage my own finances as much as I can. I can use one of the paid services but do we really need to hash out the argument about apps vs spreadsheets again?
I prefer spreadsheets, end of conversation, either stay on topic or please join another discussion.
Thanks!

It's not exactly difficult to create your own spreadsheets for basic book-keeping. I did this when I started contracting 4 years ago and they've been fine. Occasionally need the odd tweak. I doubt it took more than a couple of hours to get them working properly.

A spin-off benefit for me was it gave me a good insight into the accounting fundamentals of running a small business.

[SimonMac]

Not free (£45) but I use

DIY Accounting Software, Small Business, Payslip Software, Tax Return, Limited Company UK

[northernladuk]

I prefer spreadsheets, end of conversation, either stay on topic or please join another discussion.
Thanks!

Ohh someone is a bit touchy. You come one free forum, ask for some advice that's questionable and then throw the teddy out if the cot. Way to go you.

You asked for a reasonable alternative and you got one. How is that not on topic?

[Antimus]

I have an accountant to do tax returns and end of year, etc. but I like to manage my own finances as much as I can. I can use one of the paid services but do we really need to hash out the argument about apps vs spreadsheets again?
I prefer spreadsheets, end of conversation, either stay on topic or please join another discussion.
Thanks!