Anyone Else

[G MAn]

I’ve been in practise now for 12yrs and have for the most part enjoyed what I do and have been able to take some pride in the work. However in the past say 18 months I seen to have become more and more disillusioned with tax.

The constant simplification (which is frankly not that simply) to tax law (I know that tax is constantly evolving and adjusting to meet an ever changing world, but hopefully you would agree that the changes in the last 5 yrs have been surreally.)

The feeling that you can’t win anymore. HMRC constantly changing the goal posts, Pension contribution tax, removal of furnished holiday lets, new penalties for “late” payment of PAYE, trying to HMRC to do anything correctly the first time around, the list goes on.

The feeling that we’re seen as the enemy by HMRC (Working with tax agents, the fact that you can’t agree anything under enquiry that isn’t exactly what the Inspector wants).

Clients not wanting to put in returns and adding more pressure in December and January. (I know there’s nothing we can do about this but since I’m moaning anyway)

And I know I shouldn’t say this but what the hell, the sense that the Institutes just agree with HMRC on any consultancy rather than telling the to get lost and that HMRC don’t care what our opinion is and are going to do what ever they want.

So my question is, am I the only one who feels like this and should I get out of tax now or are there other professionals out there just as sick as me.

Thanks

[robbob]

Hello G MAn

I know where you are coming from in some respects - some of the changes they have made have not been well thought through and can make it nigh on impossible to offer clear sensible advise (Does IR35 apply? being a good example)
I agree some parts of the revenue offer shocking customer service if you need any sort of help - but if they can replicate the system they have for agents with self assessment quries in other departments things should imporve over the next 2 or 3 years.

However overall - i am probably happier than ever as far as the future is concerned.
IWeam currently swapping all clients to online filing for vat - i have not had one client who is not happy to pay by direct debit once i have explained how things work.Extra 10 days etc.
We filed our first CT600/Company Acounts online this week - the return was processed overnight.
Completing self assessment returns online is a million times better than the old complete a paper return method where the revenue loved to change as many boxes as they could given half an excuse.

In some respects if tax becomes too simple then we would not be needed as accountants

I do have to say though accountancy isn't an easy profession and i can imagine that there are probably alot of other jobs that you may be able to do for as much or more money that do not provide the same levels of potential stress.

In some respects penalties for late payment of paye are long overdue - individuals/companies do take advantage of the system and due to this changes need to be made.
Most businesses may not like vat but manage to pay this on time while often leaving paye for months or longer.