Reply to: Bloody VAT people

[xoggoth]

Had one full VAT visit and some similar telephone enquiries. Never had any probs either. Difficult to go too far with wrong with VAT, wish tax was as simple.

With government agencies, avoid mentioning anything unless asked, pocket errors in your favour, challenge and complain about anything not in your favour and don't give up. Inventing idiotic interpretations of their own rules sometimes works too.

[wendigo100]

Whatever you think, I find it helps to be nice to VAT officers from the start.

I always am, on the few occasions I have spoken or corresponded with them. My last VAT inspection was carried out over the phone.

Being awkward just gets you a tick in the box marked "Keep a close eye on this company".

[expat]

this one especially:

Ah yes: named after the Pope's phone number.

[darmstadt]

I've always found the VAT to be really very helpful.

this one especially:

[eternalnomad]

Yes, Ive always found them very helpful. Unless your hiding something!!!!!

I've not really been trading long enough (with this Ltd.) to actually have anything to hide.

Its just probably all about "fairness"

[AtW]

IMO they do it to check if the firm in question is "contactable" - this is to prevent VAT carosel fraud that they are suffering from. Or perhaps just do some effort that can supposedly prevent it.

[MarillionFan]

Yes, Ive always found them very helpful. Unless your hiding something!!!!!

[The Lone Gunman]

Vodka And Tonic


LadyMuck.

[Torran]

<RANT>

Bloody VAT people......

Having closed down my previous Ltd, I incorporated a new Ltd company a few weeks ago and did the usual stuff like applying for VAT registration etc. (or more strictly true Mr Upton at 1st Accountancy did...hello Darren.. )

Last week I received a letter from the VAT office which was worded in such a way that I inferred they would make my life difficult unless I contacted them by the 24th Feb.

For example, the letter was headed in bold type, 24 point text "You must reply by 24th Feb" and "to avoid a visit from our compliance officer"

Needless to say I was a little worried to think the VAT boys assumed I was on the fiddle when I had only been trading a few weeks.

I called them first thing yesterday morning to be greeted by a very nice lady who told me the purpose of the letter was "just to make sure I was OK and didnt require any help or input to our VAT accounting" - I pointed out that they could help significantly by not wasting my time worrying me with their bloody stupid letters.

To me, this proves 2 things

1) The VAT people can put the fear of God (or Allah) in all of us.

2) They are obviously massively over staffed to have people whose only role is to write letters like the one I received and then sit back and take the phone calls from the nervous new directors.

Why couldnt they just have written a nice letter with a cheery "If you need any help just give your friendly neighbourhood VAT man a call on 0800....." ?





</RANT>

Unprofessional, overstaffed and some of the staff need a right good kicking (allegedly)

[Fleetwood]

Vicious And Tedious

[~Craig~]

Very Anal Taxation?

[EternalOptimist]

writing communications without explaining acronyms is a basic schoolboy error
can you please explain exactly what VAT stands for


tia

[threaded]

I've always found the VAT to be really very helpful.

[Fleetwood]

Why couldnt they just have written a nice letter with a cheery "If you need any help just give your friendly neighbourhood VAT man a call on 0800....."

Because they're a cunch of bunts.
hth

[MrsGoof]

interestingly soon after I registered for VAT a nice man rang me to ask if I had any questions and was also very helpful in explaininy Flat Rate and Cash Accounting.