Insights

With just a week to go, accountants are under a lot of pressure to complete and file all the tax returns required by clients. It’s the same every year, there are always some people that do not manage to provide the right information in time or simply don’t comply with their obligations and get the £100 fine.

We came across this list in one of the Sunday newspapers recently, featuring the best and worst excuses from taxpayers about why they had not filed their tax returns on time. There were some real howlers. We particularly loved the following:

“After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news I couldn’t concentrate on anything else.” 

“My husband said the deadline was March 31st and I believed him.” 

“I’ve been busy touring the country with my one-man play.”

“My bad back means I cannot go upstairs and that’s where my tax return is.”

“Our business doesn’t really do anything.”

And the best one of all, from an accountant was, “I am too busy doing my client’s tax returns to have time for my own.” 

We’ve all done ours already so we’re not guilty of that one! If you still have to complete your self assessment tax return for the 2012/13 tax year, get in touch with Lesley Stalker – quickly!