Got a call yesterday from my accountant telling me that he's 'misplaced' all my tax records for the year.....

Basically my accountant is coming up to retirement, and has someone else taking over, and between them they have lost all my expenses records etc.

I roughly totted the figures up before I dropped them off by hand, and total expenditure for the year was just short of 20K.

I have no copies of these receipts here, as I didn't think I would need to make copies of every single item purchased.

Now, I'm hoping they are going to turn up sooner rather than later - But what the hell happens if they don't turn up? I'm wondering if my accountant has insurance to cover this sort of thing??

 

collect it off his pension ! outrageous

 

I'm livid to be honest, completely ruined our ******* Christmas before it's even started...

 

If they can't be found you'll have to make some effort to trawl through bank statements etc to provide something. I'm not sure if you can claim against your accountant for loss? If in doubt I'd contact HMRC for some advice.

 

It has crossed my mind, but I didn't want to draw attention to the fact IF they do actually turn up within the next week or so.

 

He should eb covered by indemnity insurance, if not contact his acreddited body ie ACCE CIMA etc

They are quite serious regarding this sort of thing more so in light of data protection act whereby they have to comply with relevant filing system etc.

 

It is your responsibility to ensure your returns are done on time, filed correctly etc.

Unfortunately it is your problem to deal with, the accountant could ctually wash their hands of it if they wish

 

I'm sure if he did there is a claim to be had as he will have some form of letter email stating they have lost all his stuff so he would be liable.

 

What the hell kind of accounts loose their customers filling? Shocking!

 

this, even if the accountant ***** it up, it is still your fault.

 

wow, can't believe they can't be held responsible

You pay them for a service, they **** up and can get away scot free

 

Can do it based on estimates....any extra cost in fees for an enquiry wouldn't be charged to you I would hope seen as they've lost everything! Can estimate based in the previous year and your rough total. Only an issue if hmrc enquire into it but as long as you have done your best estimate and it's reasonable I wouldn't envisage it being too much of an issue as you have done everything right....but yes the accountant should have insurance!

(my wife is an accountant who specialises in tax)